The project was initiated by the NCHR in 2022, with a research component uncovering gaps in the human rights standards in the Sunni-, Shi’ite-, Druze-, Maronite-, Orthodox-, and Catholic courts of Lebanon. The research showed a need – and a wish – for human rights capacity building and cross-religious meetings among the court actors.
Early this year, representatives from the six courts drafted a roadmap, identifying challenges and objectives for improving the human rights standards of the courts. At March 15, 2023, this roadmap was endorsed by the heads of the courts and plans have been made for accomplishing the ambitious goals.
The NCHR will continue its work with the religious courts in the years to come, by initiatives such as continued capacity building of appointed judges, improved hiring policies and facilitation of meeting points between the courts and local civil society.
