Torture Prevention

The Situation of Human Rights in Lebanon -2017

In 2017, Lebanese Parliament amended and passed several laws that improve human rights in Lebanon and reaffirm the realization of several efforts by Lebanese civil society in areas concerning elections, transparency, women’s rights, and torture prevention. Recent legislative reforms include changing the electoral law and the prohibition of marital rape, as well as the criminalization [...]

Alternative Report to the Committee against Torture

In March 2016, the Government of Lebanon submitted its initial Report to the Committee against Torture (CAT) which reviews the situation of torture in Lebanon between 2001 and 2015, a period during which many changes and developments have occurred. Although this report did not contain any substantial observations or significant new information from the Government [...]

Reinforce human rights as an essential element in cooperation between the EU and Lebanon

In the coming months, the EU and Lebanon will agree on more detailed plans for the implementation of their partnership for the coming years. On the 17th of July, the EU-Lebanon Association Council will convene, following the agreement on new Partnership Priorities plus Compact and an Outline of a Single Support Framework. Whereas human rights [...]

ALEF Annual Report 2016

As in previous years, the Lebanese government has taken some positive steps towards promoting human rights in 2016, but has missed several opportunities to uphold the country’s international obligations, and failed to address major protection concerns of the general population. The Lebanese criminal justice system continues to overlook many of the international standards set by [...]

Establishing the Primacy of Human Rights in Security Sector Reform in Lebanon

Foreign donors and security agencies are multiplying their efforts to reform the security sector in Lebanon. In such context, ALEF advocates for a security sector reform (SSR) approach that promotes human rights compliance in addition to state empowerment and the inclusion of civil society in the process. Based on interviews with security agencies, foreign donors, [...]

LEBANON Joint shadow report – Submitted to the UN Commitee Against Torture

Lebanon’s first periodic report (CAT/C/LBN/1)[1] was submitted to the Committee against Torture on 9 March 2016, and will be reviewed by the Committee at its 60th session. Although this effort is a step forward, the report had been overdue for 14 years, and contained no substantial information in terms of developments and efforts made by [...]

ALEF Submission to the UN Committee Against Torture – 60th Session

In March 2016, the Government of Lebanon submitted its initial Report to the Committee against Torture (CAT). Although this effort is a step forward, the Report had been overdue for 15 years, and contained no substantial information in terms of developments and efforts at the hand of the Lebanese government towards preventing torture in Lebanon. [...]

Promoting better human rights practices in security sector reforms implemented in Lebanon

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (Lebanon) Enhancing communication between the Lebanese security sector and all stakeholders Strengthening ALEF’s advocacy towards security sector reform Sept 2016 – February 2017 […]

ALEF’s 2015 Lebanon Human Rights Report reveals a persistent poor record in fulfilling basic rights, despite meagre improvements

ALEF’s 2015 Lebanon Human Rights Report reveals a persistent poor record in fulfilling basic rights, despite meagre improvements  In 2015 the Lebanese government has shown willingness to comply with certain human rights matters; however cross-sectorial violations, lack of policies, inability and unwillingness to respond to challenges remain the strongest obstacles to state obligations in the [...]

Annual Report 2015

The following report highlights Lebanon’s improvements and setbacks of the most pressing human rights issues in 2015. The Lebanese government has shown a willingness to comply with certain human rights matters, however it clearly lacks the capacity and funds to improve legislation, enforce laws, and report to the United Nations (UN) properly. With regard to [...]