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Integrity Scorecard

2009 Assessment

Lebanon: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Lebanon: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Legislative Accountability
Indicators		Score
32	Can members of the legislature be held accountable for their actions?	33
33	Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest by members of the national legislature?	32
34	Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature?	50
35	Can citizens access legislative processes and documents?	75

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Can members of the legislature be held accountable for their actions?

32a: In law, the judiciary can review laws passed by the legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments: As stated on the council's website "The Council may not examine litigations in connection with acts of the legislature, acts of government having a political character or affairs concerning the functioning of courts of justice." Moreover, the opinion of the council is not binding to the administration.

References: [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: In law, the Advisory State Council (Majlis Shura al-Dawla) can review laws and governmental decisions.

32b: In practice, when necessary, the judiciary reviews laws passed by the legislature.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Lack of resources

32c: In law, are members of the national legislature subject to criminal proceedings?

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Lebanese Constitution, Articles 39-40

Peer Review Comments: Although very few criminal proceedings were initiated in the past, this did not happen in the period under study.

Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest by members of the national legislature?

33a: In law, members of the national legislature are required to file an asset disclosure form.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Illicit Wealth Law

33b: In law, there are restrictions for national legislators entering the private sector after leaving the government.

Score:

YES

$Scoring Criteria :: YES: A YES score is earned if there are regulations restricting national legislators\' ability to take positions in the private sector after leaving government that would present a conflict of interest, including positions that directly seek to influence their former government colleagues. NO: A NO score is earned if no such restrictions exist.$

Comments: Members of Parliament do not need to resign from their jobs as they do not need to fulfill legislative duties on a full-time basis.

References: Lack of documents

33c: In law, there are regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to members of the national legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Penal Code, Art. 352

33d: In law, there are requirements for the independent auditing of the asset disclosure forms of members of the national legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments: Assets are disclosed in a sealed envelope.

References: Illicit Wealth Law

33e: In practice, the regulations restricting post-government private sector employment for national legislators are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Lack of resources

33f: In practice, the regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to national legislators are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: [ LINK ]

33g: In practice, national legislative branch asset disclosures are audited.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Lack of resources Illicit Wealth Law

Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature?

34a: In law, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature.

Score:

YES

Comments: Citizens must pay a deposit of approximately 16,000 USD to request to access disclosure of assets from the General Prosecutor or the first level investigative judge based in Beirut. Therefore, citizens are not encouraged to do so.

References: Illicit Wealth Law

34b: In practice, citizens can access legislative asset disclosure records within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: No records

Illicit Wealth Law

34c: In practice, citizens can access legislative asset disclosure records at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

References: Illicit Wealth Law

34d: In practice, the asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature are of high quality.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The asset disclosure records of members of the national legislature are complete and detailed, providing the public with an accurate and updated accounting of the individuals\' sources of income, investments, and other financial interests. 50 Score Criteria: The asset disclosure records of the members of the national legislature contain some useful information but may be lacking important details, including politically sensitive investment or other financial arrangements in which the individual has an interest. 0 Score Criteria: The asset disclosure records of the members of the national legislature are overly general, lack any meaningful detail, and do not provide clear accounting of the individuals\' sources of income, investments, and other financial assets.$

Comments:

References: No records

Can citizens access legislative processes and documents?

35a: In law, citizens can access records of legislative processes and documents.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Lebanese Constitution, Article 35

35b: In practice, citizens can access records of legislative processes and documents within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: A summary of the discussions is available online, but the minutes are not made public.

References: [ LINK ]

35c: In practice, citizens can access records of legislative processes and documents at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: These are summaries and not an integral version of the legislative proceedings.

References: [ LINK ]