The Lebanese judiciary has rejected a complaint filed against Kulluna Irada, a prominent reform-oriented think tank, in a decision that activists say reflects the limited space for civil society under the country's evolving political landscape.
The complaint, filed with the public prosecutor, targeted the organization known for its advocacy on governance reform, anti-corruption measures, and civil state principles — positions that have frequently put it at odds with Lebanon's entrenched political establishment and sectarian power brokers.
According to L'Orient-Le Jour, the judiciary's dismissal of the complaint marks a rare instance where civil society organizations have prevailed against legal pressure in recent months. The decision comes amid a broader climate of increased scrutiny toward NGOs and activist groups, particularly those advocating for systemic political change.
Kulluna Irada — Arabic for "All of Us Want" — emerged from the grassroots movements that preceded the October 2019 revolution, when hundreds of thousands of Lebanese took to the streets demanding an end to corruption, sectarianism, and economic mismanagement. The organization has since focused on policy advocacy, proposing electoral law reforms and campaigning for independent candidates in parliamentary elections.
The nature of the complaint filed against the group has not been made public, but civil society observers note a pattern of legal harassment against organizations challenging the political status quo. Such complaints typically allege administrative violations or foreign funding irregularities — charges that rarely result in convictions but serve to drain resources and create a chilling effect.
This didn't start yesterday. Lebanon's political class has long viewed independent civil society with suspicion, particularly organizations that refuse alignment with the country's sectarian political parties. The current government, formed after prolonged political paralysis, includes figures from traditional political dynasties alongside some reform-minded ministers — a contradiction that has produced inconsistent approaches to civil society engagement.
The judiciary's decision to reject the complaint suggests that despite political pressure, some institutional independence persists within Lebanon's legal system. However, activists caution against reading too much into a single ruling. The broader environment for civil society remains constrained by economic collapse, political instability, and the ongoing security situation with Israel.
For organizations like Kulluna Irada, the challenge extends beyond legal battles. With donor funding increasingly scarce due to Lebanon's financial crisis and international priorities shifting toward other regional conflicts, sustaining advocacy work has become as much a financial question as a political one.
In this region, today's headline is yesterday's history repeating — reformists navigate the same obstacles that have frustrated change agents for decades.
