The surge in crime in Lebanon is no longer an ordinary issue. It has become a major source of concern for Lebanese citizens, especially for those who have always considered the law-governed State of their upbringing as a safe haven.
Samar Yamout from co-sister media, Houna Loubnan, wrote:
Hardly a week passes in Lebanon without witnessing crimes such as murder, rape, theft, kidnapping and stabbing, among others. Perpetrated in cold blood, these acts unfold against the backdrop of decaying State institutions and a failure to enforce proactive security measures. This environment emboldens various gangs and individuals to freely roam, flouting societal security and ethics, bolstered by the State's weak governance and ineffective judicial system, and confident in their ability to evade accountability.
The surge in crime rates in Lebanon is no longer merely an ordinary matter. It has become a major source of concern for Lebanese citizens, especially for those who have always considered the law-governed State of their upbringing as a safe haven.
When probing the root causes of Lebanon’s increasing crime rates, it is imperative to delve into all exceptional circumstances the country has endured for years — be they economic, security-related, political or social. This makes the rational question legitimate: What remains from Lebanon to prevent the growth of criminal activity?
Crimes Deemed Easy Under State Weakness
“Lebanon found itself in the throes of an economic crisis, during which the State displayed a lack of responsibility and proved incapable of devising a recovery plan,” noted retired Brigadier General Khaled Hamadeh, an expert in security and political affairs, when asked about the matter. He pointed to “the fragmentation of administrative systems, the decay of the public sector, and the diminishing professional and ethical commitment to public service within the State, all exacerbated by financial pressures.”
Hamadeh cited the Beirut port double-explosion crime, in which several officials and ministers were implicated. He lamented the judiciary’s failure in that instance to fulfill its role, which undermined trust in both the State and the judicial authority. As a result, the law has fallen into the hands of all those who seek to vilify it, leading to a surge in security and cross-border incidents between Lebanon and Syria. As the State’s weakness increased, its ability to assert control diminishes, allowing residents to find committing crimes easier, fully aware of the contaminated, corrupt, and complicit State components.”
In discussing the presence of Syrian migrants and its correlation with the rising crime rates, Hamadeh maintains, “as the Syrian population exceeds one-third of Lebanon's inhabitants, it is normal to see crime rates surge. This is especially attributed to the State’s failure to comprehensively address this issue since its inception, to come up with a formula to control this presence, in terms of security, administration, and employment opportunities, and to benefit from the workforce, like Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt.” The retired Brigadier General noted that Syrian migrants came from diverse backgrounds, primarily rural or religious, with the majority holding strong ethics and values. However, some may gravitate towards criminal behavior upon realizing the prevailing security and legal loopholes.
Submissive Political Class
Furthermore, Hamadeh places his confidence in the enduring values of upbringing and moral integrity within Lebanese families, viewing them as crucial deterrents against rising crime. “While discussions of a surge in crime pervade Lebanon, if any other country were to face the same level of State decay, chaos, and dysfunction within its security and judicial systems as we do in Lebanon, the prevalence of crime would undoubtedly be much higher,” he explains. Hamadeh concludes by asserting, “The mounting crime wave is the responsibility of the State and the Parliament. It is the responsibility of the entire political class, which wouldn’t dare to enforce the law while being submissive to local or regional forces at play, and lacks the desire or will to establish a genuine State and safeguard its society.”
Absence of 'Citizenry' and Disregard for the Law
In turn, social psychologist Dr. Nadia Chahrour asserts, “The surge in crime within any society is the result of a myriad of factors. These include upbringing, social circles, (as the adage goes, ‘tell me who your friends are …’), lack of respect for the law, and the strength of one’s connection to their homeland. The absence of the feeling of citizenry is particularly detrimental, as it reflects the weakening of the societal fabric. Amidst the recent economic crisis, sharp divisions have emerged among citizens, creating significant class disparities between the wealthy and the impoverished. This inequality may lead individuals to justify resorting to crime, feeling undervalued despite their hard work yielding little financial reward.”
Curbing Crime
Discussing the surge in crime rates, especially with a significant proportion attributed to Syrians, Chahrour indicated that “Syrian migrants originate from a different environment, and despite its geographical proximity to Lebanon, their cultures remain distinct, posing challenges in adaptation to the host society. Of particular concern are those lacking in education and social upbringing, who may not be interested in preserving the newfound community as Lebanese citizens do.”
Chahrour concluded, “First and foremost, the pivotal role in ensuring security and curbing crime remains that of the State. We cannot solely rely on individual self-control without complementary deterrent measures, ranging from upbringing and behavior to the State's enforcement of the law on all within its territory.”
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