Financial Crime World

The National Committee for Combatting Corruption in Lebanon: A New Era in Fighting Corruption

Introduction

In 2020, Lebanon passed Law No. 175, establishing the National Committee for Combatting Corruption. This committee has several key functions aimed at tackling corruption and promoting transparency in the public sector.

Key Functions of the National Committee

The National Committee is responsible for:

Receiving and Investigating Complaints

  • The committee receives and investigates corruption complaints
  • Determines whether to drop them, assign them to the prosecution or to a judicial body

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Monitors, documents, and follows up on corruption cases
  • Evaluates laws and decrees related to fighting and preventing corruption
  • Identifies risks of corruption in the public sector

Providing Opinions

  • Prepares annual reports on its activities and adopted policies
  • Provides advisory services based on these reports
  • Suggests a code of conduct for public officials

Spreading Anti-Corruption Culture

  • Leads studies and research on anti-corruption
  • Publishes outcomes and reports
  • Organizes conferences and seminars to promote an anti-corruption culture

Potential Benefits

The establishment of the National Committee has several potential benefits:

  • Centralization of complaints: The committee can receive all corruption complaints and filter them before proceeding.
  • Protection for whistleblowers: The law provides protection for those who report corruption cases.
  • Efficient judicial processes: The National Committee can help prevent obstruction of Lebanese courts with unfounded claims and information.

Challenges Ahead

The effectiveness of the National Committee will depend on several factors:

Political Will

  • A clear commitment to fighting corruption is essential for the committee’s success.

Independence

  • The committee must be independent and free from political influence.

Efficiency

  • The committee must operate efficiently and effectively to achieve its goals.

Conclusion

While the National Committee has potential benefits, its success will depend on various factors, including a clear commitment to fighting corruption, independence, and efficiency.