Describing Lebanon as a failed state, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier de Schutter, said it was not too late for the current government, which has been in charge since September, to take measures that would protect the poor population of this small country with a population 6 million people.
He added, “Lebanon is one of the most unequal countries in the world. The richest 10 percent of its population owns 70 percent of the assets. The Gini coefficient (which specializes in measuring income distribution) ranks Lebanon, along with South Africa and Brazil, as among the most unequal countries. On the face of the earth”.
The UN envoy also stated that the current social safety programs are insufficient and cover only a tenth of the population.
He also criticized the inability of the Lebanese authorities in the face of the growing crisis, saying that it is important that tax reform and shareholders in major banks bear more responsibility than financial losses, rather than small depositors.
He added that the government should get rid of political infighting and focus on next spring’s elections to lift people out of poverty and increasing hardship.
He also stated that UN humanitarian aid should be complemented by reforms.
De Schutter met 10 of the 24 government ministers, as well as the Prime Minister.
He toured Lebanon, and is also scheduled to present the results of his visit to the United Nations.
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