DOCSLIB.ORG

Lebanon: Freedom in the World 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Lebanon: Freedom in the World 2020 4/8/2020 Lebanon | Freedom House FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020 Lebanon 44 PARTLY FREE /100 Political Rights 14 /40 Civil Liberties 30 /60 LAST YEAR'S SCORE & STATUS 45 /100 Partly Free Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. See the methodology. https://freedomhouse.org/country/lebanon/freedom-world/2020 1/20 4/8/2020 Lebanon | Freedom House Overview Lebanon’s political system ensures representation for its many sectarian communities, but suppresses intracommunity competition and impedes the rise of cross-sectarian or secularist parties. Residents enjoy some civil liberties and media pluralism, but grapple with the government’s inability to address pervasive corruption and inconsistent support for the rule of law. Lebanon has also struggled to support the refugees who make up over a quarter of its population, with refugees from Syria facing especially difficult circumstances as they face unemployment, restrictions on movement, and the risk of refoulement. Key Developments in 2019 Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned at the end of October, in the wake of massive antigovernment protests that erupted earlier that month when the government proposed an increase in the value-added tax (VAT) and implemented a new fee for mobile messaging services. The movement was marked by violent clashes between protesters and security forces resulting in dozens of injuries. The government introduced strict new curfews limiting the movement of Syrian refugees, as well as a stringent permit system restricting their access to employment. In May, authorities deported nearly 3,000 refugees, despite concerns that they could be detained and tortured in Syria. Political Rights A. Electoral Process A1 0-4 pts Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 1 / 4 https://freedomhouse.org/country/lebanon/freedom-world/2020 2/20 4/8/2020 Lebanon | Freedom House The president, who is elected to a six-year term by the parliament, appoints the prime minister after consulting with the parliament. The president and prime minister choose the cabinet, which holds most formal executive power. According to long- standing de facto agreements on sectarian power-sharing, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the National Assembly must be a Shiite Muslim. Recently, the presidency was vacant for two years due to a lack of political consensus on a successor to Michel Suleiman, whose term expired in 2014. In October 2016, lawmakers finally elected former military commander Michel Aoun as president, who nominated Saad Hariri as prime minister that November. The parliament approved Hariri’s unity cabinet, which included representatives of most major factions, the following month. While this ended the country’s long deadlock, these decisions were carried out by a parliament whose electoral mandate had expired in 2013, undermining their democratic legitimacy. Aoun named Hariri to the premiership again shortly after the 2018 parliamentary elections, and a new cabinet was formed in January 2019. Hariri resigned in October, after widespread anticorruption protests swept the country. In December, Aoun named Hassan Diab, a former education minister and a vice president at the American University of Beirut (AUB), to succeed Hariri. Diab was still negotiating to finalize his government’s formation at the end of 2019. A2 0-4 pts Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? 2 / 4 Parliamentary elections were originally due in 2013, but disagreement over electoral reforms led the parliament to extend its own term until late 2014. Citing security concerns associated with the Syrian conflict, lawmakers in 2014 extended their mandate again, this time until June 2017. That month, the parliament adopted a new electoral law that introduced proportional representation and preferential voting, and scheduled elections for May 2018. Lebanese citizens then voted for the 128- https://freedomhouse.org/country/lebanon/freedom-world/2020 3/20 4/8/2020 Lebanon | Freedom House member National Assembly for the first time since 2009—ending the five-year period in which the incumbent legislature had operated with no electoral mandate. The May 2018 election saw Hezbollah maintain its National Assembly seats, while its allies posted gains. Christian parties also gained seats, mainly at the expense of Saad Hariri and the Future Movement party he led. Although the elections were conducted peacefully and were free and fair in many respects, vote buying was rampant and the electoral framework retained a number of fundamental structural flaws linked to the sectarian political system. Turnout was less than 50 percent, and was even lower in some Sunni areas of Beirut, reflecting an apparent lack of confidence in Hariri among many Sunni voters. A3 0-4 pts Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? 2 / 4 Elections in Lebanon are overseen by the Interior Ministry rather than an independent electoral commission. Parliamentary seats are divided among major sects under a constitutional formula that does not reflect their current demographic weight. No official census has been conducted since the 1930s. The electoral framework is somewhat inclusive and supports pluralism, but it is the product of bargaining among established leaders and tends to entrench the existing sectarian and communalist political system. The 2017 electoral law introduced proportional representation and preferential voting, and improved opportunities for diaspora voting. However, the districts were still drawn along communal lines, with most featuring a strong confessional majority. Meanwhile, the mechanisms for seat allocation favor incumbent parties. The 2017 law sharply raised registration fees for candidates as well as spending caps for campaigns, and allowed private organizations and foundations to promote coalitions and candidates, which increased advantages accorded to wealthier groups and individuals. As under past electoral laws, members of security services, and citizens who have been naturalized for less than 10 years, cannot participate in elections. https://freedomhouse.org/country/lebanon/freedom-world/2020 4/20 4/8/2020 Lebanon | Freedom House B. Political Pluralism and Participation B1 0-4 pts Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or 3 / 4 groupings? Citizens are free to organize in different political groupings, and the system features a variety of competing parties in practice. While parties do rise and fall to some extent based on their performance and voters’ preferences, most of Lebanon’s political parties are vehicles for an established set of communal leaders who benefit from patronage networks, greater access to financing, and other advantages of incumbency. B2 0-4 pts Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? 1 / 4 Lebanese politics are largely dominated by a group of military veterans, former militia leaders, and power brokers who gained prominence during the 1975–90 civil war that engulfed the country. Under the country’s prevailing power-sharing system, these parties do not consistently behave as opposition groups; consolidation of power among political elites also hampers intraparty competition. The National Assembly introduced a new electoral system in 2017 that included proportional representation, reduced the number of seats, and lessened the sectarian nature of Lebanese elections. Nevertheless, the political parties and alliances that existed before this reform have maintained their positions. B3 0-4 pts https://freedomhouse.org/country/lebanon/freedom-world/2020 5/20 4/8/2020 Lebanon | Freedom House Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ 1 / 4 extrapolitical means? A variety of forces that are not democratically accountable—including entrenched patronage networks, religious institutions, armed nonstate actors such as Hezbollah, and competing foreign powers—use a combination of financial incentives and intimidation to exert influence on Lebanese voters and political figures. The 2018 elections saw a number of credible allegations of vote buying, as well as analyses pointing to the role of establishment parties’ patronage networks in mobilizing or incentivizing voters. B4 0-4 pts Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, religious, gender, LGBT, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral 2 / 4 opportunities? Lebanon officially recognizes 18 religious communities, and the political system ensures that nearly all of these groups are represented, though not according to their actual shares of the population. Individuals who are not or do not wish to be affiliated with the recognized groups are effectively excluded. Moreover, the country’s large refugee population, including Palestinian refugee camp residents and Syrians who fled their country’s civil war, are not eligible to acquire citizenship and have no political rights. Women have many of the same political rights as men, but they are marginalized in practice due to religious restrictions, institutionalized inequality, political
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ARIJ 11Th ANNUAL FORUM "The Future of Investigative Reporting:Trends, Tools, & Technology"
    ARIJ 11th ANNUAL FORUM "The Future of Investigative Reporting:Trends, Tools, & Technology" 29 NOV - 2 DEC 2018 Dead Sea - Jordan WWW.ARIJ.NET WWW.ARIJ.NET Overview OVERVIEW he 11th Annual Forum for Investigative Journalism, hosted by ARIJ, took place at the T King Hussein Conference Center at the Dead Sea in Jordan on Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2018. The Forum was ARIJ’s biggest yet: nearly 500 participants from 37 countries attended. Some 18 Arab countries were represented. In addition, ARIJ boosted the outreach of the Forum by livestreaming and recording sessions. This meant that journalists unable to attend in person - including many Gazans, Yemenis, Syrians, and Libyans - could still benefit. ARIJ’s Forum has evolved into the most important journalism Forum in the Arab world and an unmissable event for media professionals in the region. 492 +50 +90 PARTICIPANTS SESSIONS SPEAKERS 2 ABOUT THE FORUM – TOPIC, FOCUS, BACKGROUND INFORMATION The year 2018 was challenging for investigative journalists in the Arab region and internationally. It was a deadly year: at least 54 journalists were killed for doing their job. The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his country’s embassy in Istanbul in October received widespread media coverage, but ARIJ also remembered those whose names were not so well publicized. The increasingly hostile environment was reflected in the theme of the Forum’s opening session, Life on the Edge. This theme was illustrated in an op-ed by ARIJ Executive Director Rana Sabbagh, which explored the constant dangers and rising repression that journalists in the region face.
    [Show full text]
  • The Committee to Protect Journalists the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy Joint Stakeholder Submission to the UN Human Ri
    The Committee to Protect Journalists The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy Joint Stakeholder Submission to the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review - Lebanon 37th Session (Jan-Feb 2021) The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal. Contact Details: Website: https://cpj.org/ Postal address: P.O. Box 2675 New York, NY 10108 Telephone: +1 (212) 465-1004 Email: [email protected] The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) is dedicated to centering localized perspectives in the policy discourse to foster accountable, transparent, and just societies in the Middle East and North Africa. TIMEP was founded in 2013 in Washington, DC; it has a network of expert fellows located throughout the world. TIMEP is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the District of Columbia. Contact Details: Website: www.timep.org Postal address: 1140 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 505 Washington, DC 20036 Telephone +1 (202) 969-3343 Email: [email protected] Introduction This joint submission documents a deterioration in the state of press freedom in Lebanon, as facilitated both by the country’s legal framework and its violative practices. The information presented in this submission is based on evidence collected by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP) in collaboration with local human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers. Prior Relevant UPR Recommendations 1. Lebanon underwent its 1st UPR cycle in November 2010 and its 2nd UPR cycle in November 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Radical Dissent, Feminist Survival: the Dialectics of Migration
    Kohl: a Journal for Body and Gender Research Vol. 3, No. 1 (Summer 2017) Radical Dissent, Feminist Survival: The Dialectics of Migration Roula Seghaier Kohl 3.1 2 Multiple local and regional events have informed the publication of this issue. We worked on it during “celebratory” times, when Beirut rejoiced on discourses of Pride, omitting pleas of women, migrants, and refugees, and when institutions commemorated World Refugee Day, stressing the humanitarian aspect of what they called a refugee “crisis.” Both events had powerful political and symbolic purposes. They served to reinforce the state’s grip on identitarian and national borders while legitimizing institutional discrimination against “others.” The naming of the migration the world is witnessing today as a “crisis” justifies the exceptional securitization measures Western host states are taking; overridden with the political spectacular, they emphasize the “unprecedented” nature of such forced migration. The omission of queer migrant voices from Beirut Pride purposefully displaced the focus from state authoritarianism to upper and middle class gay men’s “bread and circuses.” This issue was created from the dire need to reinvestigate, deconstruct, and gender migration as a phenomenon that is not modern, although complicated by the neoliberal age. While gender is no alien to migration, it is usually vulgarized through the rights approach, and stripped from all intersectionality by the liberal discourses on social mobility and economic opportunity acquisition for women of color. We wanted to trouble the gender-neutral, liberal, and/or quantitative depiction of the phenomenon. We aimed to expose the state-led media, pop culture, and NGO efforts that are complicit in the demonization of the migrants, essentialization of their cultures, and fetishization of their bodies.
    [Show full text]
  • Elections in Lebanon: Implications for Washington, Beirut, and Damascus | the Washington Institute
    MENU Policy Analysis / Policy Forum Elections in Lebanon: Implications for Washington, Beirut, and Damascus by David Schenker Nov 27, 2007 ABOUT THE AUTHORS David Schenker David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Brief Analysis n the months leading up to the November 23 end of Lebanese president Emile Lahoud's term in office, political I factions have been vying to choose the country's next chief executive. These elections pit candidates affiliated with the pro-West March 14 majority bloc against the Syrian-Iranian allied opposition led by Hizbballah. For both Washington and the March 14 majority, the outcome of the elections is critical. At stake is the future of UN Security Council Resolution 1559, the disarmament of Lebanese militias, and Resolution 1757, the international tribunal investigating the assassination of former Lebanese premiere Rafiq Hariri. In a larger sense, the election of a compromise candidate could effectively end the momentum of the Cedar Revolution and bring Syria back to Lebanon. To discuss the Lebanese elections, The Washington Institute invited Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, Tony Badran, and David Schenker to address a special policy forum on November 27, 2007. Due to a technical failure, David Schenker's remarks are not included here. Jeffrey Feltman has been the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon since July 2004. Prior to his appointment in Beirut, he served as the Coalition Provisional Authority office in Irbil, Iraq, and as acting principal officer at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. He joined the Foreign Service in 1986, and has also served in Tel Aviv, Tunisia, and Haiti.
    [Show full text]
  • Stable Instability: the Syrian Conflict and the Postponement of the 2013 Lebanese Parliamentary Elections
    This is a repository copy of Stable instability: the Syrian conflict and the postponement of the 2013 Lebanese parliamentary elections. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/88404/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Assi, AF and Worrall, JE orcid.org/0000-0001-5229-5152 (2015) Stable instability: the Syrian conflict and the postponement of the 2013 Lebanese parliamentary elections. Third World Quarterly, 36 (10). pp. 1944-1967. ISSN 0143-6597 https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2015.1071661 Reuse Items deposited in White Rose Research Online are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved unless indicated otherwise. They may be downloaded and/or printed for private study, or other acts as permitted by national copyright laws. The publisher or other rights holders may allow further reproduction and re-use of the full text version. This is indicated by the licence information on the White Rose Research Online record for the item. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Stable Instability: The Syrian Conflict and the Postponement of the 2013 Lebanese Parliamentary Elections Dr Abbas Assi Center for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies, American University of Beirut Dr James Worrall School of Politics & International Studies, University of Leeds 1 Stable Instability: The Syrian
    [Show full text]
  • Envisioning and Contesting a New Lebanon? Actors, Issues and Dynamics Following the October Protests About International Alert
    Envisioning and contesting a new Lebanon? Actors, issues and dynamics following the October protests About International Alert International Alert works with people directly affected by conflict to build lasting peace. We focus on solving the root causes of conflict, bringing together people from across divides. From the grassroots to policy level, we come together to build everyday peace. Peace is just as much about communities living together, side by side, and resolving their differences without resorting to violence, as it is about people signing a treaty or laying down their arms. That is why we believe that we all have a role to play in building a more peaceful future. www.international-alert.org © International Alert 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without full attribution. Layout: Marc Rechdane Front cover image: © Ali Hamouch Envisioning and contesting a new Lebanon? Actors, issues and dynamics following the October protests Muzna Al-Masri, Zeina Abla and Rana Hassan August 2020 2 | International Alert Envisioning and contesting a new Lebanon? Acknowledgements International Alert would like to thank the research team: Muzna Al-Masri, Zeina Abla and Rana Hassan, as well as Aseel Naamani, Ruth Simpson and Ilina Slavova from International Alert for their review and input. We are also grateful for the continuing support from our key funding partners: the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of Platforms in Lebanon's 2018 Parliamentary Election
    ا rلeمtركnزe اCل لبeنsانneي aلbلeدرLا eساThت LCPS for Policy Studies r e p a 9 Analysis of Platforms 1 P 0 2 y a y M in Lebanon's 2018 c i l o Parliamentary Election P Nizar Hassan Founded in 1989, the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies is a Beirut-based independent, non-partisan think tank whose mission is to produce and advocate policies that improve good governance in fields such as oil and gas, economic development, public finance, and decentralization. Copyright© 2019 The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies Designed by Polypod Executed by Dolly Harouny Sadat Tower, Tenth Floor P.O.B 55-215, Leon Street, Ras Beirut, Lebanon T: + 961 1 79 93 01 F: + 961 1 79 93 02 [email protected] www.lcps-lebanon.org Analysis of Platforms in Lebanon's 2018 Parliamentary Election 1 1 Nizar Hassan The author would like to thank Sami Nizar Hassan is a former researcher at the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies. He Atallah, John McCabe, and Georgia Dagher for their contributions to this paper. holds an M.Sc. in Labour, Social Movements and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. At LCPS, his work focused on Lebanese political parties and movements and their policy platforms. His master’s research examined protest movements in Lebanon and he currently researches political behavior in the districts of Chouf and Aley. Nizar co-hosts ‘The Lebanese Politics Podcast’, and his previous work has included news reporting and non-profit project management. 2 LCPS Policy Paper Introduction Prior to the May 2018 Lebanese Parliamentary Election, a majority of 2 2 political parties and emerging political groups launched electoral Henceforth referred to as 'emerging platforms outlining their political and socioeconomic goals and means groups'.
    [Show full text]
  • Ashghal to Spend Qr22bn on New Projects in 2018
    BUSINESS | Page 1 SPORT | Page 1 Qatar ready for crunch game against INDEX DOW JONES QE NYMEX QATAR 2-6, 20 COMMENT 18, 19 Qatar’s low-cost base REGION 7 BUSINESS 1-6, 10-12 Bahrain, gives it competitive edge 24,774.30 8,500.08 59.62 ARAB WORLD 7 CLASSIFIED 7-10 +28.09 -0.95 -0.35 INTERNATIONAL 8-17 SPORTS 1-8 over other LNG suppliers says coach +0.11% -0.01% -0.58% Latest Figures published in QATAR since 1978 THURSDAY Vol. XXXVIII No. 10681 December 28, 2017 Rabia Il 10, 1439 AH GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals Nod to draft In brief law on realty QATAR | Reaction Emir sends condolences ownership by to Philippines president His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and non-Qataris HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser he Cabinet has approved a draft Interior, the committee specialises in bin Khalifa al-Thani yesterday sent law on regulating the ownership framing policies and strategies per- cables of condolences to Philippines Tand usage of real estate by non- taining to traffi c and developments in President Rodrigo Duterte after a Qataris in the country. the fi eld, according to the report. It also tropical storm struck the southern The decision was taken at the regu- studies traffi c problems and suggests Philippines, killing more than 200 lar meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, appropriate solutions. people. The Qatari leaders wished HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani reviews the progress of Ashghal the offi cial Qatar News Agency (QNA) The report refers to the preparation the injured speedy recovery.
    [Show full text]
  • Histories of Humanitarian Action in the Middle East and North Africa
    HPG Working Paper Histories of humanitarian action in the Middle East and North Africa Edited by Eleanor Davey and Eva Svoboda September 2014 HPG Humanitarian Policy Group Acknowledgements The editors would like to thank all those who contributed to this publication and to the conference that its papers are drawn from. First and foremost, thanks are due to the speakers and authors – all those included in this collection, as well as Elcin Macar and Mohsen Ghafory-Ashtiani – whose expertise and enthusiasm have been fundamental. Anicée Van Engeland, Heba Morayef, Keith Watenpaugh and Moncef Kartas were members of the project steering committee and gave invaluable support and guidance for which HPG is very grateful. Background research was provided by Samir Naser and Tabitha Poulton. The conference would not have been possible without the support of the Arab Thought Forum (ATF) in Amman, in particular Dr Elsadig Elfaqih and Rana Arafat. It is also thanks to the ATF that the conference report was translated into Arabic. Scott Taylor’s help with regard to HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal’s speech was much appreciated. Last but not least, we would like to thank the scholars, practitioners and individuals who put the editors in touch with authors, and who provided valuable comments during the peer review process. Humanitarian Policy Group Overseas Development Institute 203 Blackfriars Road London SE1 8NJ United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0) 20 7922 0300 Fax. +44 (0) 20 7922 0399 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.odi.org/hpg ISBN: 978 1 909464 86 5 © Overseas Development Institute, 2014 Readers are encouraged to quote or reproduce materials from this publication but, as copyright holders, ODI requests due acknowledgement and a copy of the publication.
    [Show full text]
  • COPENHAGEN 2021 LGBTI+ Human Rights Forum HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM 16TH - 20TH AUGUST 2021
    COPENHAGEN 2021 LGBTI+ Human Rights Forum HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM 16TH - 20TH AUGUST 2021 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th Human Rights Conference Global Interpar- liamentary Plenary Assembly 1:1 Democracy Festival Immigration, Bor- ders and Refugees Summit EXECUTIVE SUMMARY receptions for the invitees to the Inter-parliamentary Plenary and a number of other guests. The Scandinavian model of a “Folkemøde” 1:1 Democ- racy Festival will open 5 days of events that are part of The Copenhagen 2021 LGBTI+ Human Rights Forum is an the Human Rights Forum. Open to the general public, international experience existing out of multiple high-level, ac- this event will invite attendees, politicians and speakers cessible events: out on the square to connect and converse with the local community. In the square, two large tents will provide A 3-day Human Rights Conference, from Tuesday the 17th until Thursday the 19th of August 2021 space for different sessions (i.e. debates and panels). The There will also be a strong presence of civil society orga- conference focuses on LGBTI+ issues and is organized nizations located in various smaller tents to engage with for, by, and with the diverse global LGBTI+ Community the community. We will bring the LGBTI+ cause close to in order to go deeper into the challenges and lives of the the general public to create compassionate awareness community. Starting with a high-level plenary session about issues and challenges the community experienc- with a diverse group of speakers, followed by 2 days of es in various parts of the world. Speakers from both the break-out meetings and discussions based on different Global Interparliamentary Plenary Assembly and the topics, ending with a closing and feedback plenary.
    [Show full text]
  • Provider List International Hospital & Surgical Care Premier
    PROVIDER LIST INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL & SURGICAL CARE PREMIER March 16, 2020 24 Hours Helpline International Assistance Terms and Conditions : Telepon : +60 3 7962 1814 1. Only for clients who are using Hospital & Surgical Care Premier Whatsapp : +60 16 686 6284 2. Suggest to contact International Assistance Medical Helpline to check the provider list before seeking treatment Email : [email protected] 3. All hospitals, however, accept cashless for INPATIENT. Kindly refer for details to the attached list ** for another country please contact Helpline 4. Letter of Guarantee will be issued by International Assistance International Assistance 5. Please contact 24 Hours Helpline International Assistance in advance (at least 5 working days) prior to overseas medical treatment for Guarantee Letter issuance. 6. Please contact 24 hours Helpline International Assistance in advance for hospital providers information for Worldwide plan. 7. All Hospitals is base on coverage area due to plan coverage in the card . 8. Return Of Deposit Malaysia Hospitals - Cash Deposit - The hospital will return the patient's deposit funds, when the patient return and after receiving the Final GL from IA / Insurance - Credit Card - The hospital will return the patient's funds directly to the patient's credit card account no later than 14 days after the patient returns Singapore Hospitals - Cash Deposit - The hospital will return the patient's deposit funds, when the patient return and after receiving the Final GL from IA / Insurance - Credit Card -
    [Show full text]
  • Freedom of the Press 2009
    Freedom of the Press 2009 FURTHER DECLINES IN GLOBAL MEDIA INDEPENDENCE Selected data from Freedom House’s annual survey of press freedom Acknowledgments Freedom of the Press 2009 could not have been completed without the contributions of numerous Freedom House staff and consultants. The following section, entitled “The Survey Team,” contains a detailed list of writers without whose efforts this project would not have been possible. Karin Deutsch Karlekar, a senior researcher at Freedom House, served as managing editor of this year’s survey. Extensive research, editorial, and administrative assistance was provided by Denelle Burns, as well as by Sarah Cook, Tyler Roylance, Elizabeth Floyd, Joanna Perry, Joshua Siegel, Charles Liebling, and Aidan Gould. Overall guidance for the project was provided by Arch Puddington, director of research, and by Christopher Walker, director of studies. We are grateful for the insights provided by those who served on this year’s review team, including Freedom House staff members Arch Puddington, Christopher Walker, Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Sarah Cook, and Tyler Roylance. In addition, the ratings and narratives were reviewed by a number of Freedom House staff based in our overseas offices. This report also reflects the findings of the Freedom House study Freedom in the World 2009: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties. Statistics on internet usage were taken from www.internetworldstats.com. This project was made possible by the contributions of the Asia Vision Foundation, F. M. Kirby, Free Voice, Freedom Forum, The Hurford Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc., The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy, The Nicholas B.
    [Show full text]