Whistleblowers worldwide have often been on the frontline against the devastating effects of pollution. In Lebanon, residents living along the Litani river spoke up against raw sewage and industrial waste illegally being pumped into the water. This heavy pollution is linked to a steep rise of cancer in riverside settlements, especially among young people. In 2019, in the eastern town of Bar Elias alone, there were 600 cases among a population of 12,000. Despite ongoing complaints to the government, nothing changed. Some factory owners were powerful or had powerful connections, while others bribed officials to overlook their actions.
Residents of Bar Elias ultimately reported the situation to Lebanon’s ALAC. Transparency International’s ALAC partnered with investigative journalists to carry out the first-ever aerial filming of the Litani river from source to estuary, documenting pollution flows. It also used surveys to identify the responsible parties. Through an access to information request, staff also discovered that in 2016, the government had allocated 1,100 billion liras (US$728 million) to have the Litani cleaned, but projects were not being implemented. Using the aerial footage, the LALAC team produced a striking documentary, causing a national outcry that finally prompted official action. The authorities sent legal warnings to numerous polluters and the Public Prosecutor’s office issued several warrants. Clean-up operations are now underway – showing that people can speak up against the abuse of power to protect public health and make a difference in the fight against corruption.
Source: Transparency International
https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/whistleblower-stories-individuals-safeguarded-public-interest-exposing-misconduct?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-17-01-2025