As part of the MENA Child Rights Initiative, led by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), ALEF has been monitoring and documenting instances of institutional violence against children. The findings of ALEF’s monitoring efforts are consolidated into monitoring reports. This report is the last of the series and covers the period between January 1 to June 30, 2025.
The respect of child rights in Lebanon remains weak, with significant gaps between legal provisions and practice. The age of criminal responsibility remains low, at seven years old, detention is overused, and minors are often detained alongside adults despite legal protections requiring their separation. Judicial challenges persist, including a lack of specialized juvenile judges and insufficient training for key actors. While some child-friendly court facilities exist in major cities, systemic reforms are lacking. Efforts like the opening of the Warwar rehabilitative center aim to improve child protection, but effectiveness remains to be seen.
This monitoring report provides an analysis of the evolving trends and patterns affecting institutional violence against children in Lebanon. It highlights the escalating security challenges against children, the remnants of the armed conflict, and recent developments and efforts toward reform. Key findings include:
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Violence and insecurity: Armed feuds and celebratory gunshots led to an increase in child casualties throughout the country at a concerning rate. Retaliatory kidnapping cases of children also appeared during this quarter.
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Sexual exploitation and violence: Cases of sexual abuse persisted, revealing critical gaps in preventative and protective mechanisms. Incidents monitored during this quarter highlight the urgency of addressing sexual violence in both physical and digital spaces.
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Remnants of the armed conflict: Despite the ceasefire agreement, minors continue to fall victim to attacks, with at least 10 child casualties. This was coupled with a surge in mental and physical health issues, hunger, and a halt in education.
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Milestones in child welfare: Despite the ongoing challenges, the Lebanese government and international and national organizations have worked to ameliorate child protection, health, and welfare. Some projects include safeguarding policies for day care centers, health initiatives aimed to helping children suffering from gastrointestinal or urinary diseases, and even the inauguration of Lebanon’s first rehabilitation center for minors. These findings demonstrate that Lebanon’s child protection frameworks, while legally robust on paper, lack the necessary enforcement and resources to address the acute and chronic challenges children face. The report calls for urgent systemic reforms, emphasizing a holistic, rights-based approach that prioritizes the best interests of children.