Project Watan Discusses Legislation and Calls for Easing the Burden on the People

Project Watan’s Executive Board held its weekly meeting, chaired by MP Neemat Frem, alongside MP Sajih Attieh and the members of the Board, during which it addressed a number of legislative, economic, and social issues. The following statement was issued:

• The Board first addressed the deteriorating economic and living conditions, along with the growing social tensions and significant pressures on citizens and economic sectors. Meanwhile, security and regional developments have added further negative pressure on tourism and remittances, two of the Lebanese economy’s key pillars.

Hence, we believe that swift measures must be introduced to stimulate the economy, particularly by facilitating access to investment credit to generate new jobs and encourage investment.

• The participants addressed the latest legislative session, particularly the passage of the amnesty law. At Project Watan, we consider this law exceptional and a one-time measure, resulting from several factors – most notably the fact that, following the transfer of foreign convicted and detained persons, particularly Syrians, prisons remain places where even the minimum conditions for a healthy and sound environment are not available. Prisoners lack even the basic requirements for a decent life and rehabilitation, which are at the core of the judicial system’s work and its role in building and protecting society.

This law could also help open a new chapter at the beginning of the new era.

At the same time, the exceptions included in the law were intended to preserve a delicate balance among the various requirements and circumstances.

• The participants consider the Media Law a step toward regulating the sector and curbing chaos. However, we stress the need to further develop it in a way that safeguards freedom of the media and expression while, at the same time, protecting people’s dignity and rights against libel, defamation, insult, and slander.

Freedom entails responsibility, and protecting it must go hand in hand with respect for the rights of others.

• With regard to retroactive payments owed to public-sector employees and retirees, Project Watan considers that paying them in installments is unfair, particularly in light of the State Council’s decision of August 5, 2026, which requires the state to make immediate payment.

The retroactive payments were approved to provide public-sector employees, workers, and retirees with a tangible financial payment that can help them cope with the extremely difficult circumstances facing the Lebanese people.