Executive summary:
Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS) submitted its report, “Practical Measures to Reduce and Prevent Prison Overcrowding in Lebanon,” in response to the call for input issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on practical measures to reduce and prevent prison overcrowding. The call provides an opportunity for stakeholders to share information and practical recommendations addressing prison overcrowding and its human rights implications.
CCLS’s submission brings a Lebanon-specific perspective to this process, addressing prolonged pretrial detention, alternatives to detention, detention conditions, access to healthcare, independent monitoring, and the need for sustainable judicial and institutional reforms.
CCLS recommends:
- Implementing Articles 108 and 111 to reduce prolonged pretrial detention and promote judicial supervision.
- Expanding alternatives to detention, including electronic monitoring with legal safeguards and judicial oversight.
- Reducing prison overcrowding and improve detention conditions.
- Ensuring access to medical and psychosocial care for detainees.
- Ensuring legislative measures addressing overcrowding comply with constitutional and human rights safeguards.
- Strengthening independent monitoring and investigations into torture, ill-treatment, and inadequate detention conditions.
- Developing sustainable judicial and institutional reforms to prevent recurring overcrowding and prolonged detention
Through this submission, CCLS contributes practical recommendations aimed at reducing and preventing prison overcrowding while strengthening the protection of the rights and dignity of persons deprived of their liberty in Lebanon.
Read the full report by clicking on this link.