HRW Says Beirut Should Monitor Detention to Combat Torture

Lebanese authorities should adopt wide-ranging measures to combat torture, including creating a national monitoring body for detention facilities, Human Rights Watch said Friday.

The Lebanese government should further bring national laws and practices in compliance with its international obligations to prevent and combat torture, the New York-based rights group said on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

A group of local organizations also issued a joint statement calling on the government to adopt such measures.

Their appeal came after leaked video clips showed Roumieh prison guards beating Islamist inmates.

“The torture captured on video is only the tip of the iceberg, since local and international organizations have been documenting torture and abuse of detainees in Lebanon for years,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East and North Africa director.

“The government’s announced investigations are encouraging but the real test will be whether it will enact long-awaited reforms to address the problem beyond the current scandal,” he added.

Lebanon has failed in the past to properly investigate security abuse cases, Human Rights Watch said.

No proper investigations were opened into serious allegations of military abuses against detainees, said the group.

Judicial authorities should investigate all allegations of torture regardless of the identity of the person accused, including state and non-state actors, it added.

G.K.

M.T.