Articles for Lebanon

Two prisoners held in Roumieh prison, east of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, died in less than 48 hours due to very poor detention conditions, detainees being denied of minimum necessities of living, Alkarama learnt from its sources. 

The prison in which conditions are further deteriorating is marked by an increasing frequency of deaths and alleged suicides. 

On 21 April 2023, Alkarama submitted its contribution to the draft general comment of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) on Article 4 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).

Alkarama condemns the forced deportation by the Lebanese authorities of dozens of Syrian refugees to areas controlled by the Syrian regime, despite the existence of the risk of torture -and extrajudicial executions- in violation of the principle of non-refoulement enshrined in the Convention against Torture. 

Human rights sources reported that the Lebanese authorities have forcibly deported about 150 Syrian refugees to their country through the "Masnaa" crossing point since April 19, 2023. 

Lebanon February 6, 2023 - The Sixth of February was declared a Global Day of CommemorAction for the Dead, Missing, and Forcefully Disappeared at Sea and the Borders.

On 26 December 2022, Alkarama joined several Lebanese civil society organisations in seizing the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT) and relevant UN Special Procedure mandate holders with a call for urgent action concerning the situation in Roumieh prison and other Lebanese detention centres.

On 26 June 2022, on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Alkarama, several NGOs working for the protection of human rights and the Tripoli Bar Association called, through a joint statement, on the Lebanese authorities to comply with their obligations under the Convention against Torture and its optional protocol ratified by Lebanon.

On 22 February 2022, Alkarama addressed to the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to inform him of the threats and intimidation to which the Lebanese lawyer Tarek Chindeb, known for his commitment to defend human rights in his country, is subjected.

Danish citizen of Lebanese origin Arabi Ali Muhammad Ibrahim was released after 11 days of arbitrary and illegal detention. On 29 October 2021, Alkarama sent an urgent appeal to the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances. Lebanese security forces had abducted Mr Arabi Ali Muhammad Ibrahim on 20 October 2021 in the Al-Mankoubin neighbourhood of Tripoli, Lebanon.

On 15 April 2021, Alkarama submitted its report to the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) concerning several cases of reprisals in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Under resolution 12/2 the UN Secretary-General submits an annual report to the Human Rights Council compiling information received on acts of reprisals for cooperation with the UN in the field of human rights. This report brings to light the situation in countries where cooperation with the UN triggers systematic measures of reprisals and intimidations.

Alkarama and a number of Lebanese and international human rights organizations have submitted a petition to the Parliament's Human Rights Committee, to investigate violations against Lebanese protesters arrested in connection with the recent popular demonstrations in Tripoli.