Awareness
Raise awareness about human rights issues worldwide especially Lebanon by providing informative and engaging content.
Legal Assistance
The Center provides legal assistance to victims of torture and enforced disappearance, migrants and refugees.
Rehabilitation Victims of Torture
The center provides medical consultations, psychological and physical treatment to victims of torture in Lebanon.
Case Study
Ensuring Rights and Rehabilitation: The Journey of a Lebanese Minor After Torture
25/08/2025
Background:
Case number VTC25-001 concerns a Lebanese minor, 15 years old, who was detained on 6 August 2025 in connection with a misdemeanor involving gunfire. The Cedar Centre for Legal Studies took charge of his case from the outset and attended his interrogation by military police on 7 August 2025 under a special power of attorney issued by his guardian. Since then, the Centre has played a key role in following up his case by monitoring all legal procedures and ensuring the protection of his rights, as stipulated by Law 65/2017 (the Law on the Punishment of Torture).
Justice, Healing, and Hope: The Case Number VTC39 Experience with Cedar rehabilitation centre!
18/08/2025
Background
The case code number VTC39, a 24-year-old Lebanese man, was arrested in March 2025 and spent several months in detention, where he was subjected to torture. The experience left lasting physical and emotional trauma.
On 19 June 2025, as a result of the swift legal response by the centre’s team—through the head of legal program the lawyer, Mohamad Sablouh—the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies paid the required bail and deposited the official release documents in Roumieh Prison. This intervention led to VTC39’s release and marked a crucial turning point in his life: from unlawful detention and torture to safety and care.
Torture of Two Minors by Security Forces in Chekka: A Case of Abuse, Coercion, and Retaliation
08/08/2025
Background
This case involves two minor siblings, aged 15 and 16, who were employed alongside their father and older brother on a livestock farm in Chekka, North Lebanon, owned by a member of the Lebanese security forces. The employment relationship was marked by a financial dispute over unpaid wages.
One evening, while the two boys and a Syrian friend were returning from a barber appointment—having been summoned by a colleague from the farm—they were ambushed by the farm owner (a security officer) and other security personnel.
Advocacy
From the Missing of the Lebanese Civil War to the Case of Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi: Enforced Disappearance, a Crime Without End
30 August 2025
On this International Day, commemorated annually by the global community on 30 August, the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies remembers the suffering of thousands of victims who were forcibly disappeared and whose traces remain hidden, leaving behind families tormented by the agony of waiting and deprived of their most basic rights to truth and justice. Enforced disappearance remains one of the gravest violations of human dignity. It is a crime that does not expire under international law and constitutes a blatant breach of several international treaties and conventions
200 Days of Abdulrahman Yusuf’s Enforced Disappearance: Reveal His Whereabouts. Ensure His Safety. Release Him Now.
05 August 2025
The undersigned organizations are extremely concerned over the continued enforced disappearance of Turkish-Egyptian poet and political dissident Abdulrahman Yusuf Al-Qaradawi for more than 200 days. Abdulrahman Yusuf was arrested in Lebanon on 28 December 2024 and forcibly extradited to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 8 January 2025, in flagrant violation of due process guarantees and other international human rights obligations, notably the principle of non-refoulement. His whereabouts and fate remain unknown amid an alarming silence from Emirati authorities and their ongoing refusal to permit him any communication with the outside world.
Lebanon: Seven Years of Enacting a Torture Law without Effective Implementation
26 June 2025
On the occasion of 26 June, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture- which symbolizes the global commitment to ending the practice of torture and other ill-treatment- we, the undersigned organizations, express our deep concern over the ongoing impunity for the crime of torture in Lebanon and the lack of effective implementation of the Anti-Torture Law enacted in 2017.
Despite Lebanon’s accession to the United Nations Convention against Torture (CAT) in 2000, along with its Optional Protocol in 2008, and its enactment of Law No. 65/2017, practical steps to ensure the prevention of torture and other ill-treatment and hold perpetrators accountable remain very limited.
Publication & Activities
Lebanon: Addressing Structural Failures in Human Rights Protection
27 July 2025
This submission by the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS), a Lebanese civil society organization dedicated to human rights protection, legal reform, and survivor rehabilitation, outlines systemic failures across multiple areas of Lebanon’s human rights landscape. Submitted within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review – Fourth Cycle, on 15 July 2025, the report draws on documented cases, legal analyses, and field interviews conducted between 2022 and 2025. It highlights critical gaps and challenges undermining Lebanon’s compliance with international human rights obligations.
Universal Periodic Review Report on the Human Rights Situation of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon – 2025
22 July 2025
This joint report, submitted by a number of Lebanese, Palestinian, and international human rights organizations, examines the state of human rights for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon within the framework of the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for 2026.
Despite numerous recommendations accepted by Lebanon during previous cycles (2010, 2015, 2021), Palestinian refugees continue to live under deteriorating legal and social conditions. They remain deprived of fundamental rights and face systemic discrimination in laws and practices—deepening their vulnerability across all spheres, particularly amid Lebanon’s economic collapse and UNRWA’s ongoing financial crisis.
On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: Calls for Accountability in Lebanon
26 June 2025
Beirut – Lebanon
In the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which held each year on 26 June, the Cedar Center for Legal Studies hosted a roundtable event. Participants included representatives from legal and human rights organizations, judicial and academic institutions, professional syndicates, members of parliament, as well as delegations from international organizations and UN agencies. The gathering aimed to reaffirm Lebanon’s commitment to combating torture and ensuring justice for victims.
Who we are ?
Our goal is to promote a legal culture and civic engagement in Lebanon
Cedar Center for Legal Studies is a civil, non-profit company, established in Lebanon in 2013 and registered with No. 609. It is an independent, non-sectarian center and is not affiliated with any political parties. It is concerned with spreading the culture of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
250
Legal consultation
150
Legal assistance
40
Reported to UN bodies
Our Activity
Unveiling Human Rights Realities
Embark on a journey of exploration and understanding as we delve into comprehensive studies and research initiatives dedicated to unraveling the complexities surrounding human rights. Our commitment lies in dissecting critical topics, examining policies, and engaging with communities to unearth insights that pave the way for informed advocacy, policy reform, and lasting societal impact. Join us at the forefront of knowledge creation, where every study becomes a catalyst for positive change in the realm of human rights.
Human Rights Impact Assessment
Conduct comprehensive studies to assess the impact of policies, legislation, or societal changes on human rights.
- Design and implement surveys to gather data on the ground, considering diverse perspectives.
- Analyze the collected data to identify potential human rights violations or positive impacts.
- Publish reports with actionable recommendations to guide policymakers, organizations, and advocacy efforts.
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Legal Empowerment Research Project
Analyze the collected data to identify potential human rights violations or positive impacts.
- Publish reports with actionable recommendations to guide policymakers, organizations, and advocacy efforts.
- Investigate and promote legal empowerment strategies that enhance individuals' understanding and exercise of their human rights.
- Examine existing legal frameworks and identify gaps or barriers to access justice.
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Technology and Human Rights Innovation Lab
Explore the intersection of technology and human rights, researching innovative solutions to address emerging challenges.
- investigate the impact of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, blockchain) on human rights.
- Collaborate with tech experts, human rights activists, and policymakers to brainstorm and develop ethical tech solutions.
- Publish findings, guidelines, and best practices to ensure responsible and rights-respecting technology development and deployment.
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FAQs !
Have A Questions?
How can individuals or organizations contribute to or participate in your research initiatives?
- A: We encourage collaboration! Individuals and organizations can contribute by sharing their experiences, participating in surveys, or joining focus group discussions. Additionally, partnerships with like-minded entities amplify the impact of our collective efforts in advancing human rights research.
How do you address ethical considerations in your research processes?
- A: Ethical considerations are paramount in our research. We adhere to strict ethical guidelines, ensuring informed consent, privacy protection, and respectful engagement. Our commitment to ethical standards guarantees the integrity and reliability of our research outcomes.
Why is research crucial for advancing human rights causes?
- A: Research serves as the backbone of evidence-based advocacy, offering insights into the real-world impact of policies and practices on human rights. It empowers advocates, policymakers, and communities with the knowledge needed to drive positive change.
How does your organization ensure inclusivity and diverse perspectives in human rights studies?
- A: We prioritize inclusivity by actively engaging with diverse communities, conducting surveys and interviews that capture a broad range of perspectives. Our commitment to representing marginalized voices ensures a comprehensive understanding of human rights challenges.
- b: Ethical considerations are paramount in our research. We adhere to strict research outcomes.
