Lebanon: Protest against tax hikes in Beirut July 23

Event

A protest against a set of tax increases is expected to be held at 11:00 (local time) outside of the parliament building in Beirut on Sunday, July 23. Security may be deployed to the area to ensure public order and localized transportation disruptions are possible. Though the demonstration is expected to remain peaceful, as a precaution political gatherings should be avoided.

Context

The Kataeb Party's Student and Youth Department, and civil society group "We Want Accountability" have called for the demonstration, in protest to the new tax law approved by Lebanon's Parliament on July 20. A number of protests have taken place over the past week, all of which have remained peaceful despite the interior ministry's ban on political gatherings. In March, parliament also approved a series of tax increases, which resulted in similar protests. Proponents of the tax hikes say that the change is necessary in order to address the country's growing deficit and fund necessary pay raises for government employees, including teachers, judges, and the military. Critics of the tax increases allege that they place undue strain on the general population and that the government would do better to raise the money by cracking down on corruption.

Advice

Individuals present in Beirut are advised to avoid all protests and to allow for additional travel time in the vicinity of public gatherings.

On a separate note, due to the threat of terrorism and of abduction, some Western governments advise their nationals against travel to the city of Tripoli, as well as Beirut's southern districts, southern Lebanon, and the country's eastern regions (including Baalbeck, Hermel, Majdel, and Rachaiya). Travel to such areas should only be undertaken with proper security protocols in place.