Lassen Inaugurates EU-Funded Premises in Tripoli's Prison and Palace of Justice
Ambassador Christina Lassen, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, inaugurated Thursday in Tripoli new premises in the northern city's prison and a Forensic and Psychological Unit in the Palace of Justice.
Both are direct results of projects funded by the European Union and implemented by Restart Center for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence and Torture (RESTART).
“These projects show the EU’s support to justice, rule of law and human rights in Lebanon,” an EU Delegation statement said.
The inaugurations took place in the presence of representatives from several ministries, the Internal Security Forces, embassies, international organizations, municipalities, the Tripoli and Beirut Bar Associations and civil society organizations, as well as judges and doctors.
Minister of Justice Salim Jreissati attended the inauguration of the Forensic and Psychological Unit at the Palace of Justice.
In Tripoli prison, a Medical Center and a Rehabilitation Center were established, and a bridge was built to serve as an emergency exit and connect the male prisoners' block to the medical center, within the framework of the project "Support to a comprehensive prison reform in Lebanon".
The project aims to bring Lebanese prisons' management and detention conditions closer to international standards and human rights obligations. “The new premises will significantly improve the detention conditions of the prisoners,” the EU Delegation statement said.
The inauguration took place under the patronage of Minister of Interior and Municipalities Nouhad al-Mashnouq, who was represented by General Mounir Shaaban.
Ambassador Lassen said: "The facilities will serve to make a better use of the space available and that in-house service delivery to prisoners will be carried out in better conditions.''
She added: "We are fully aware that the needs and challenges in Lebanon are huge. We have to remember though, that infrastructural works and training for the personnel are important, but will not be enough if not accompanied by effective legal reforms."
Together with Justice Minister Jreissati, Lassen inaugurated the Forensic and Psychological Examination Unit in the Palace of Justice in Tripoli. The unit has been established by the project "Joint Action for an Effective Prosecution of Torture and enhanced commitment to Prevention of inherent crimes." This project aims to support the effective prevention and prosecution of torture and ill-treatment of detainees.
Speaking at the inauguration, Lassen highlighted that this particular project ''delivers the first unit of this type in Lebanon, and therefore represents a remarkable step forward to address torture and ill-treatment.”
She stated: "The Committee Against Torture (CAT) highlighted the creation of the unit as a positive step taken by Lebanon to amend its policies and procedures in order to ensure greater protection of human rights and to apply the Convention against Torture. We know that much remains to be done and the CAT's report on Lebanon is a hard reminder of that fact. This is why we all need to do more.''
Ambassador Lassen also highlighted the importance of the openness and cooperation of all security agencies, political support and the expertise and commitment of the civil society for the promotion of human rights in Lebanon.
According to the EU Delegation statement, the European Union is the biggest donor to Lebanon in the field of human rights.
In 2016, a total of 14 EU-funded projects were implemented to tackle pressing human rights issues relating to detention conditions, the fight against torture and all forms of ill-treatment, access to legal aid and a fair trial, countering violent extremism and the right to vote, amongst others.
