Finally, after more than 11 years of waiting, Decree No. 7194 was issued on December 16, 2011 to determine the minimum standards for buildings and structures, published in the Official Gazette No. 61 on December 29, 2011, available at the following link: http://jo.pcm.gov.lb/j2011/j61/wfm/m7194.htm This decree constitutes one of the most prominent implementation decrees stipulated by the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a prerequisite for securing the right of persons with disabilities to a qualified environment, i.e. their right to access places that are accessible to people without disabilities, thus alleviating their isolation and marginalization.

This decree comes as a result of effective cooperation and partnership between the administration (Directorate of Civil Regulation), which started working on it since the beginning of 2011, and the decision ofthe Supreme Council for Civil Regulation on 19/1/2011, which was circulated by the Minister of Interior to all concerned parties. A meeting with the Acting Director General of Civil Organizationand associations representing the disabled (Lebanese Wheelchair Union) in cooperation with the Engineers Syndicate. A committee to set standards was established in 2002 byCouncil of Ministers DecisionNo. 53/2002 to establish a committee to set minimum building standards. However, its work has not yielded any results since then. This delay has led to the creation of new buildings that are inadequate for the disabled, especially during the intensive reconstruction and rehabilitation campaigns that Lebanon has witnessed in recent years.

This decree details the technical conditions that buildings must meet in order to obtain a building permit (related to ramps and walkways, stairs and elevators, doors and entrances, rooms and bathrooms, parking lots and the number of units for use by disabled persons…). It includes all public and private buildings of public use, as well as private residential buildings. Any organization that does not comply with these conditions can be suspended.

Although the decree limited its scope to buildings that will be constructed, ensuring the rehabilitation of the building is a condition for any conversion, restoration or renovation of existing buildings, according to the Building Law, Article1 of Law No. 646 dated 11/12/2004 amending Legislative DecreeNo.148 dated 16/09/1983 (Building Law) and the DisabledPersons ‘ RightsLaw, Articles 36-37 of Law No. 220 issued on 29/5/2000 regarding the rightsof persons with disabilities and the six-year period is supposed to start from the date of issuing these standards to rehabilitate existing buildings of public use. The concerned public administrations must submit a plan to the Ministry of Public Works to implement the rehabilitation and modifications of buildings, facilities and public utilities before the end of 2012, and the owner of private buildings intended for public use must submit rehabilitation plans from the competent authorities. It is recorded that municipalities can benefit from financial incentives if they complete the rehabilitation and modifications before the deadline.