Violations on Public Maritime Property in Lebanon: A Growing Crisis

For decades, Lebanon’s coastline has witnessed widespread violations of public maritime properties, where significant portions of the shore have been privatized. This privatization limits citizens’ access to the sea and negatively impacts the marine environment. These violations date back to the 1960s when laws like Decree No. 17614 (1964) were issued, allowing the development of public maritime properties for industrial and touristic purposes. However, these laws have led to the distortion of the coastline and the transformation of public beaches into private commercial projects.

The Extent and Impact of the Violations

According to reports from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, there have been over 1,068 recorded violations, leaving approximately 80% of the beaches inaccessible to the public. Millions of square meters of maritime land have been seized, resulting in the construction of resorts and private developments that block access to the sea. Recent studies estimate that around 8 million square meters of the coast have been filled with reclamation projects, leading to significant environmental degradation and a drastic reduction in fish stocks.

Role of Civil Society

Civil society organizations such as “Nahnoo,” “Legal Agenda,” and “The Green Line Association” have played a crucial role in shedding light on these illegal violations through advocacy campaigns, media coverage, and protests. These efforts have led to some successes, such as the temporary suspension of the “Eden Bay” project and the revocation of certain project licenses. However, the effective enforcement of laws remains weak due to political influence and pervasive corruption.

Social and Environmental Impact

The continued privatization of public maritime properties not only deprives citizens of their right to access the coast but also leads to the destruction of marine ecosystems, which negatively affects Lebanon’s fishery resources. Moreover, these violations highlight the significant divide between ordinary citizens and the economic and political elites, who control large portions of Lebanon’s coastline.

Calls for Action

Civil society organizations and activists are calling for the enforcement of laws that mandate the removal of illegal structures, such as Law 144/S, which requires the demolition of buildings erected on public maritime property. However, the failure to impose fines and settlements that legitimize these violations remains a major obstacle to reclaiming public rights.

Conclusion

The issue of public maritime property in Lebanon remains one of the central challenges that require immediate attention. Restoring citizens’ rights to access the sea demands strong political will and sustained public awareness to ensure the protection of this natural resource for future generations.