Torture Prevention

The United Nations Committee against Torture’s report confirms shared concerns amongst Lebanese civil society organizations (CSOs) on the occurrences of torture and ill-treatment in Lebanese detention facilities. Together, Lebanese CSOs present methods to prevent and combat this serious human rights violation.

Beirut, October 20, 2014   The United Nations Committee against Torture’s report confirms shared concerns amongst Lebanese civil society organizations (CSOs) on the occurrences of torture and ill-treatment in Lebanese detention facilities. Together, Lebanese CSOs present methods to prevent and combat this serious human rights violation.   On 7 October 2014, the UN Committee against [...]

Annual Report 2013

Lebanon’s 20th century civil war not only destabilized Lebanon, but also devastated the country’s development and protection of human rights. Its domestic legal order is now dysfunctional and often does not operate independently from the government. Today, the judicial system is subject to the whimsical decisions of statesmen and is constantly hijacked by opposing forces, [...]

ALEF-Act for Human Rights publishes its annual report on the status of human rights in Lebanon for 2013

ALEF-Act for Human Rights publishes its annual report on the status of human rights in Lebanon for 2013   February 18th, 2014 - Beirut, Lebanon, On the occasion of the launching of its Annual report on the status of human rights in Lebanon for 2013, Dr. Elie Abouaoun, Member of the Board and Secretary General [...]

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Lebanon’s crippling, fifteen-year civil war and corrupt political system have created pitiable law enforcement practices and inadequate legislation that do not protect the rights and freedoms of the suspect, accused or convicted. Today, research has revealed that there is rampant arbitrary detention in Lebanon. Suspects are routinely held in police stations or courthouse holding cells [...]

ALEF-Act for Human Rights call on the Lebanese authorities to make every effort to banish the practice of torture in Lebanon.

Beirut, June 26, 2013 – to commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, ALEF-Act for Human Rights call on the Lebanese authorities to make every effort to banish the practice of torture in Lebanon. As a signatory of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or [...]

Liban: Tarek Rabaa en grève de la faim depuis deux semaines Des organisations de défense des droits de l’homme exigent sa libération immédiate

Liban: Tarek Rabaa en grève de la faim depuis deux semaines Des organisations de défense des droits de l’homme exigent sa libération immédiate Tarek Rabaa a entamé une grève de la faim il y a deux semaines. Alors que son procès devant le tribunal militaire de Beyrouth est toujours en cours, les organisations de défense [...]

Lebanon: Two weeks of hunger strike for Mr. Tarek Rabaa Human rights organizations demand his immediate release

Lebanon: Two weeks of hunger strike for Mr. Tarek Rabaa Human rights organizations demand his immediate release   Mr. Tarek Rabaa has been on hunger strike for 2 weeks. The undersigned organizations demand his immediate release pending trial, which would effectively end the excessive period of pre-trial detention for which he has been held. Furthermore, we [...]

ALEF Comment on ISF CoC

Following the release of Internal Security Forces Code of Conduct in 2012, ALEF underwent a review of the CoC identifying shortfalls and gaps to be addressed by the ISF. The commentary focused on the below parts: The conflict with the actual law The mechanisms of implementation/respect of the Code of Conduct (CoC) The terminology, spirit [...]

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 [...]