Parliamentary Committee Reviews Prison Conditions in Lebanon

The Parliamentary Administration and Justice Committee convened a session chaired by MP George Adwan, with attendance from the committee members. The meeting also included the presence of the Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation, Judge Rami Al-Hajj; Judge Tarek Abu Nassar representing the Supreme Judicial Council; Colonel Tarek Makni representing the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities; and Brigadier General Jean Awad, commander of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit.

Following the session, Adwan stated, "Today’s meeting included the Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation, a representative of the Supreme Judicial Council, and a representative from the Ministry of Interior. The discussion focused on the conditions of prisons and detention centers in Lebanon. Our country is founded on respect for freedoms and human dignity, yet it suffers from issues related to prisons, detention centers, and delays in arrests and trials. We believe the state needs to revitalize all its affairs, as the measure of a country is its respect for human beings."

He added, "The session was very lengthy, and we discussed several matters. As the Administration and Justice Committee, we decided to prioritize this issue in order to develop multiple solutions. These solutions pertain to the judiciary on one hand, and on the other hand to the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice. They also relate to the prisoners’ market and various other aspects."

Adwan concluded, "As a supervisory authority, we emerged from this extended meeting with a series of measures that we consider necessary for the government, the Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation, the Ministries of Justice and Interior, and the Supreme Judicial Council. We are currently working on a comprehensive legislative project to expedite these matters."