Conference in Baalbek-Hermel Bolsters Access to Justice
In a significant step towards enhancing legal access, the Legal Aid Office in Baalbek-Hermel, in partnership with the Baalbek Municipality and with the backing of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a conference. The event, titled “Promoting Local Institutions and Community Trust,” took place in the courtyard of the Baalbek Municipality building. The primary focus of the conference was to shed light on the ongoing efforts to streamline legal procedures, particularly for individuals who have not registered births.
Key Participants and Objectives
The conference was part of the Access to Justice working group, headed by the Ministry of Justice, with participation from the Beirut and Tripoli Bar Associations. Rima Fawaz Al-Husseini, the project manager, opened the conference with welcoming remarks, extending gratitude to the collaborating entities. She acknowledged the Baalbek Municipality’s role in providing the office’s headquarters and the UNDP’s support for the office’s work in addressing various legal issues within the governorate. The primary goal was to foster a society grounded in equality and human dignity, which is a fundamental right for every individual. (Source: Annahar)
Baalbek Mayor Ahmad Zuhair Al-Tufaili delivered a speech, celebrating the partnership with the municipality on this project. The event aimed to achieve legal justice through establishing a community that is based on equality and human dignity, an essential guarantee for every individual.
Addressing Legal Challenges and Proposing Solutions
The conference included a video presentation documenting the Legal Aid Office’s achievements and efforts in addressing cases of unregistered births. Mirna Taha presented the outcomes achieved despite the challenges faced. Ali Zein Yaghi emphasized the critical importance of amending legal procedures for birth registration, especially concerning those with unregistered records. He pointed out that the current system does not align with the realities of remote areas, depriving numerous children of their basic civil rights.
Yaghi proposed several key recommendations, including amending the law to reduce the permissible timeframe for birth registration, facilitating and accelerating procedures. He also suggested establishing a DNA testing center in Baalbek-Hermel to reduce costs and inconvenience for residents. Furthermore, he advocated for enhanced cooperation between the Ministries of Justice and Health to simplify administrative processes related to birth registration files. (Source: Annahar)
Archbishop of the Maronite Diocese of Baalbek, Red Father Hanna Rahmeh, considered the project an achievement worthy of appreciation. He highlighted the legal problems faced by the area’s residents, particularly those related to the non-registration of children in the civil registry and land ownership issues, which lead to many legal cases. These include the issue of construction on public property and the need for settlements that contribute to supporting public finances and municipalities. The conference concluded with recommendations to ensure the right to legal identity and enhance access to justice, emphasizing the need to amend the legal procedures and deadlines for birth registration to match the socio-economic conditions of remote areas. (Source: Annahar)
The conference concluded with recommendations to ensure the right to legal identity and enhance access to justice. These included proposing a draft law to amend the legal procedures and deadlines for birth registration, aligning them with the socio-economic conditions of remote areas. Other recommendations were to enhance cooperation with municipalities for field follow-up of cases and support legal and administrative efforts locally. The establishment of DNA testing centers in Baalbek-Hermel was also proposed to reduce burdens and expedite procedures. Additionally, there was a call for deeper cooperation with the Bar Association to achieve justice and enshrine the right to legal identity for every individual.
The conference, supported by the UNDP, underscored the importance of community involvement and institutional support in advancing justice. The collaborative efforts between the Legal Aid Office, Baalbek Municipality, and other stakeholders exemplify a commitment to ensuring that all residents have equal access to justice, reinforcing the values of equality and human dignity.
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