Rights Group Decries Violence against Protesters

An international human rights watchdog has decried police violence against Lebanese demonstrators protesting the government's failure to resolve the country's mounting trash crisis.

Police used forced to disperse a protest of around 100 people in downtown Beirut this week after some of the demonstrators tried to break a security cordon around the government building.

Human Rights Watch urged authorities in a statement Saturday to ensure accountability for excessive use of force and refrain from repeated violence against demonstrators.

“Violence has no role in responding to peaceful assembly and basic social demands,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director.

“Lebanese authorities should respect the protesters’ rights and listen to their demands for a sustainable solution to the garbage crisis,” he added.

The Lebanese government is locked in disputes and has failed to agree on a solution to Lebanon's garbage collection problem after Beirut's main landfill was closed down a month ago. Trash has accumulated on the streets meanwhile.