Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon’s parliament has approved a state of emergency that loses sweeping powers to the army, with the exceptional circumstances in the country indicated after a massive explosion in Beirut last week.
The cabinet had declared a two-week state of emergency on August 5, the day after the Beirut explosion that left at least 200 dead and about 6,000 wounded. Parliament voted Thursday for the emergency declaration within eight days, as required by law, although it could have voted for it as well.
The state of emergency allows the army to restrict free speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press, as well as enter homes and arrest anyone who is considered a security threat.
Legal proceedings should take place in the country’s military courts, which Human Rights Watch and other legal groups have shown fail to comply with standards of due process.
Law enforcement groups have raised serious concerns about the state of emergency, saying it could engage security forces in a public outcry with anger against the ruling class after the explosion.
The huge explosion – one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history – was fueled by some 2,750 tons of dangerous chemicals left in storage in the port of Beirut for seven years, with the knowledge of top security and politics amtners.
‘Room for protest’
Indicating the “militarization of the state”, MP Osama Saad was the only member of the 119-member chamber, a reduced number following the dismissal of nine MPs since the explosion, against the emergency.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri replied that the army “has not taken any steps to scare people or suppress television [channels] and despite the chaos in the media, it did not interview and left room for protest, “according to local media. Sessions are not televised and, therefore, statements by lawmakers are carried out by local media.
But the Lebanese army, Forces for Internal Security, and armed officials for plain clothes were spotted on Saturday with excessive force against anti-establishment protesters.
Some 728 people were injured, many remained with serious wounds that required emergency surgery. About 12 journalists were also attacked, including at least four who were attacked by soldiers, one of whom was a reporter for Al Jazeera.
Lebanese security forces stand guard outside the UNESCO Palace in Beirut on Thursday [Anwar Amro/AFP]
‘Check the streets’
The state of emergency is set to run until August 21, but it may be renewed.
Karim Nammour, member of legal NGO Legal Agenda, told Al Jazeera that the state of emergency was completely unnecessary to address the aftermath of the Beirut explosion, given that the country was already in a state of “general mobilization” because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This general mobilization already allows Cabinet the power to mobilize the armed forces and to control shops and businesses of a strategic nature, including controlling the prices of things like glass and wood, as well as increasing the rubble and providing people with , “sei Nammour.
“The only real reason we can see for a state of emergency is to give security forces the power to control the streets as much as possible – to give legal coverage to things that would otherwise be impossible,” he said.
“The ruling regime knows that it is weak and unpopular on the streets, and they are afraid because the fingers are pointed at them, and there are calls for revenge.”
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