Publications Archives - Page 7 of 8

Alternative Report: Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment

Since 2005, Lebanon has been experiencing increased political instability. While the overall level of human rights protection has improved, this improvement depends on the political priorities of individual ministers rather than coherent policy decisions. It is also frequently affected by armed conflicts and clashes. There are reports of political interference in the judicial process, and [...]

Situational Update on the Occurrences and Trends of Torture in Lebanon Torture Prevention and Monitoring in Lebanon

In the years following ALEF’s first report on torture in June of 2008, the Lebanese government has taken on several projects towards the protection of their citizens from torture. The most important of which is the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). The subsequent issuance of ministerial decree [...]

The Universal Periodic Review of Lebanon’s Experience

The Universal Period Review (UPR) is a human rights mechanism developed in March, 2006, by the General Assembly Resolution 60/251. This resolution established the Human Rights Council (HRC), a body made up of 47 member states. The HRC periodically reviews the performance of the 192 UN member states in regards to their implementation of human [...]

Socio-Political and Cultural Contexts of Violence and Their Impact on the Acceptance of Torture in Lebanon

Since 1991, Lebanon’s society has been unstable. War, occupations and state corruption have left its political system and social programs weakened and tensions high amongst religious groups. The effects of Lebanese politics on the state and its residents, coupled with permissive attitudes towards violence, hate speech, and dehumanization of “the other”, allows people to rationalize [...]

Military Tribunal: A Breach in the Integrity of the Judicial System

The Military Tribunal raises several concerns in regards to human rights and the rule of law in Lebanon. Its current jurisdiction allows for the tribunal to transgress the right to be tried before a competent, independent and impartial court established by law. This allows for military investigators to torture suspects, force suspects into arbitrary detention, [...]

Delays in Reporting

Lebanon is party to six core international human rights treaties, and is therefore obligated to submit periodic reports to the treaty body tasked with monitoring the implementation of each international convention. The Lebanese government has worked to apply international and national regulations within the framework of the Lebanese constitution, requiring them to undertake a series [...]

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) was established by an agreement between the United Nations and the Lebanese Republic pursuant to the Security Council resolution 1664 of March 29th, 2006. According to its statute, the STL has jurisdiction over persons responsible and in connection to the attack that caused the death of former Lebanese Prime [...]

The Painful Whereabouts of Detention

In 2000, Lebanon rati?ed the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. As of February 2008, Lebanon has signed, but not yet rati?ed, the optional protocol to this convention which allows for regular visits by autonomous international and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their [...]

The July War from a Human Rights Perspective

In August of 2006, a violent armed clash erupted between Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim armed group based in the south of Lebanon, and the State of Israel. Initially the conflict started in early July when Hezbollah launched an attack on Israeli positions on the Blue Line, a UN made line after Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon [...]