Lebanon rereads its constitution in its first centenary through the “Between the Lines of the Constitution” exhibition

The Lebanese Ministry of Culture places the country’s constitution in its first centenary on the dissection table, in an attempt to make the Lebanese, especially the new generation, read between its lines “their constitutional rights and their acquaintance with the political system that it established, and to open a discussion about the distance between what the constitution stipulates and what was implemented during a hundred years, to raise the relationship between the constitutional text and political practice in the country,” as Culture Minister Ghassan Salama tells Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Constitution Centenary activities, which begin with an exhibition entitled “Between the Lines of the Constitution,” come at a time when Lebanon is witnessing a debate about the political system and the working mechanisms of its institutions.

The process of preparing the 1926 constitution began under the French mandate, before its draft was subjected to extensive discussions and consultations with the participation of Lebanese figures. This constitution did not copy the French constitution, contrary to what might immediately come to mind. While France was living in a parliamentary system, the Lebanese system was parliamentary in name and presidential in reality.

From the 1926 Constitution to the “Taif Agreement”

While the exhibition is scheduled to open on October 8 and continue until the end of the year, Culture Minister Ghassan Salama recalls the historical path of the constitution, noting that it was drawn up under the French mandate, but he does not believe that the Lebanese constitution was merely a copy of the French constitution. He explains, “After independence, the constitution went through various amendments, some of which were linked to removing the effects of the mandate, while the most prominent amendment was in 1990, after the approval of the National Accord Document (Taif Agreement).”

Salama believes that the importance of the “Taif Agreement” lies in that it “incorporated the amendments he proposed into the heart of the constitution.” He says: “If there is someone who wants to do something major that violates the constitution, this needs a special vote on it.” In this way, you respect the constitution, and implicitly the political authority recognizes that there is a book, and this book must be respected, and not do whatever it wants.”

Violations of the Constitution and political exceptions

Salama does not limit himself to talking about the difference between the constitutional text and political practice, but rather stops at cases that he considers to be constitutional violations, calling for the Lebanese to know these facts and discuss them within the framework of constitutional culture. He refers to cases in which the constitution was amended exceptionally, to allow the election of the President of the Republic, contrary to the time limit or conditions that were specified by the constitutional text.

Salama warns against the ease of violating the constitution and turning the exception into a normal political practice, pointing out that deviating from the text should not become a rule simply because it is repeated or justified by political necessities. In this context, he also stops at political understandings that arose outside the constitutional text, citing what was known as the “Troika” that arose as a result of the understanding of the presidents of the republic, parliament, and government in the nineties, and the basic decisions therein were shortened. Likewise, the “Doha Agreement” (2008) did not leave a constitutional impact as the “Taif Agreement” did. He points out that “political understanding does not, in itself, acquire constitutional status unless it is translated into a constitutional text.”

A detailed reading of the Constitution

Salama says that the idea of the exhibition stemmed from a basic question related to the extent of the Lebanese people’s knowledge of their country’s constitution, and he adds: “Therefore, for the first time, we brought original documents found in France, including the document signed by the French High Commissioner, and other documents that will be presented for the first time for the Lebanese to see.”

However, according to Salama, the exhibition will not only display historical documents, but will also provide a detailed reading of the constitutional text and open it to the public in a simplified manner, which is what prompted the ministry to choose the title “Between the Lines of the Constitution.” He adds: “We want to introduce the constitution into the political culture of the Lebanese citizen.”

Constitutional norms and interpretation of the text

Salama confirms: “No country is satisfied with the text. “There are constitutional norms.” But he stresses the need to distinguish between constitutional custom and political practice, and not to consider the repetition of a particular practice a sufficient reason to automatically transform it into a constitutional rule. He says: “I want the Lebanese to think: Was this matter justified or not? Was it legit or not? These questions must be asked.”

Constitutional rights and freedoms

Hence, Salama asserts that “the constitution regulates not only the political system, but also basic rights.” He points out the importance of freedom of belief and freedom of expression, considering that the continuation of these rights despite the crises and wars that Lebanon has gone through represents an essential aspect of the Lebanese constitutional experience. He says: “It is not a passing matter that after fifty years of all the calamities that struck Lebanon, for every person to be able to speak freely, and for freedom of opinion and belief to remain as a constitutionally acquired right and not to be abandoned, this is a great thing.”

Documents of the founding period of the republic

Salama points out that some of the original documents were borrowed from France and elsewhere, and will be returned to their owners or owners after the end of the exhibition, while the National Library will keep exact copies of them.

The Ministry of Culture is betting that the exhibition will be directed specifically to young people and school students, with the aim of transforming the centenary occasion from a historical memory into an opportunity to learn about the Lebanese constitutional system. Salama says that the exhibition will remain open until the end of the year, with an effort to provide additional hours in the afternoon to allow schools and students to visit it.