Lebanon Parliament passes the Anti-Corruption Bill, however, critics doubt its Efficacy

Lebanon has been famous for all the wrong reasons lately, because of its financial mismanagement and corruption. Since Oct, the people of Lebanon were holding an anti-government protest. However, political analyst and critics doubt the efficacy of the new law as Lebanon has been facing the challenges of systemic corruption by elite powers since the beginning. 

Finally, on Wednesday, the Lebanese Parliament cast a ballot by amending the existing law on illicit enrichment. The new law makes it simpler to press charges against high-level authorities and lawmakers, including sitting MPs and ministers. 

The law establishes the structure for future clarity, responsibility, and anti-corruption laws. It additionally sets an accurate definition regarding what comprises defilement and decides punishments for bribery. It Includes three years of detainment and a fine of around double the estimate of the bribe. 

The law also makes provision for creating the most long-awaited National Anti-Corruption Commission that would refer legal cases to the judiciary, examine allegations of defilement in the public sector, and administer the law. 

The new illicit enrichment bill revises the previous 1999 law, which was a merger of a 1953 law on illegal enrichment and a 1954 law on the declaration of asset. Authorities were allowed to keep their assets secret unless a panel of judges found evidence of any wrongdoing or crime.

Currently, the bill will be transferred to President Michel Aoun for his signatures. It will be a noteworthy improvement in a nation that is battling with its most terrible financial crisis.