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Torture to Death: Military Justice Fails to Deliver
05 December 2024
On November 1, 2024, the Beirut military court issued its verdict in the case of Syrian refugee Bashar Abdel Saud, who died as a result of torture during his interrogation at the General Directorate of State Security in Tebnine on August 31, 2022. Nearly two years after his death, the military court presided over by Brigadier General Khalil Jaber, dismissed the charge of torture as a felony crime leading to Saud’s death. Instead, it convicted State Security officers of torture as a misdemeanor that did not result in any physical or mental harm to other prisoners.
Global Coalition of NGOs Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon
14 November 2024
In light of the recent and alarming escalation of indiscriminate and widespread Israeli attacks across Lebanon, we, the undersigned organizations, call on the international community to unequivocally press for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.
Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging cross-border fire since October 2023. For nearly a year, the fighting between the two parties was mostly contained to the border regions of Lebanon and Israel. However, as of mid-September 2024, Israel has significantly escalated its attacks in Lebanon,
Joint NGO Letter to UN Member States on the situation in Lebanon: The UN Human Rights Council should urgently convene a special session to establish an international investigative mechanism
6 November 2024
Beirut, Lebanon – Today, the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS) joins the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and 18 other prominent NGOs in calling on the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council to urgently convene a special session to address the alarming escalation of human rights abuses and humanitarian crises in Lebanon.
Enforced Disappearances in Lebanon: A Call for Justice and Accountability
30 August 2024
On the UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies (CCLS) firmly addresses the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in Lebanon and their devastating impact on victims and their families.
Context and International Efforts
During the civil war between 1975 and 1990, Lebanon endured fifteen years of conflict involving the various militias, foreign forces, and their local proxies. Enforced disappearances were widespread during this period, especially in the early years of the wars, where kidnappings and abductions often resulted in the disappearance of victims.
Stop the violence against Syrian refugees! 17 civil society organisations condemn the recent escalations against Syrians in Turkey and call for protection
10 July 2024
Since the night of 30 June 2024, Turkey has witnessed yet another wave of mass violent attacks against Syrian refugees, including the tragic murder of a 17-year-old Syrian and assaults on properties, homes, and shops belonging to refugees. The violence began in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri, where refugees’ homes were set on fire, vehicles were vandalised and burned, and shops were looted and damaged, all amidst anti-refugee and racist slogans.
Rights Groups and Victims' Families Call for International Action in the Beirut Blast Case
01 July 2024
To the Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council,
Excellencies,
We, the undersigned survivors and families of the victims of the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, and Lebanese and international organizations, are writing to urge you, during the current UN Human Rights Council session, to support a resolution – or at a minimum a joint statement…
Lebanon must end practices of refoulement and torture
25 June 2024
On the occasions of World Day for Refugees on June 20th and the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26th, the undersigned organizations urge the Lebanese authorities to respect their international obligations and ensure that all instances of torture and ill-treatment are effectively investigated and that unlawful deportations of Syrian refugees are immediately halted.
The Lebanese government must urgently and immediately cease the forced deportation of Syrian refugees
23 May 2024
We, the undersigned organizations, are deeply concerned about the recent measures taken by the Lebanese government regarding the deportation of Syrian refugees to areas inside Syria considered unsafe and about the session of the Lebanese Parliament that was held to hold the government accountable regarding the Syrian displacement in Lebanon on Wednesday, 15 May 2024 for the immediate deportation of displaced Syrians who are irregularly present in Lebanon.
Seeking Social Justice in Lebanon
20 February 2024
On the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies reaffirms its unwavering commitment to achieving social justice, equality, and human rights in Lebanon. This year’s theme, “Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances,” resonates deeply with our mission to create a more just and inclusive society. Cedar Centre attempts to bridge the gap related to illegalised migration. After 2019, Lebanon turned into a country of transit and immigration due to the absence of any requirements for a decent life there.
International Migrants Day 2023: Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Contributions Globally
18 December 2023
As the world commemorates International Migrants Day on December 18, the Cedar Centre for Legal Studies reflects on the resilience, courage and sustainable contributions of millions of individuals who have crossed borders in search of dignity,
Lebanon: Seeking Justice for Migrants
06 February 2024
Since 2014, February 6th has been globally recognized as the “Global Day of CommemorAction”, dedicated to commemorating and remembering the lives lost, those who have gone missing, and individuals forcefully disappeared at sea and borders worldwide.
On this occasion, the below-mentioned local and international civil society organizations unite in a call to remember the injustices against those who have died and gone missing while attempting to cross seas and borders globally.
Cedar Centre for Legal Studies Commemorates Human Rights Day: A Call to Uphold Dignity and Equality
10 December 2023
As the world prepares to celebrate Human Rights Day on December 10th, Cedar Centre stands committed to the principles of justice, equality, and the inherent dignity of every individual. Cedar Centre reaffirms its commitment to defending and
Lebanon: 5 years on, no tangible progress in enforcing anti-torture law
26 June 2023
On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we, the undersigned organizations, urge the Lebanese authorities to diligently and meaningfully enforce Lebanon’s Anti-Torture Law. It is imperative for the authorities to actively pursue investigations into every reported case of torture and ill-treatment, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable through prosecution and fair trials, and sentenced with appropriate punishments if found guilty
Call for urgent action concerning the situation in Roumieh prison and other Lebanese detention centres
18 May 2023
As access to food, clean water, and minimal health care is becoming increasingly difficult for the prison population across the country, this considerably impacts those who are already the most vulnerable, including migrants and refugees.
Joint Open Letter to the UNHCR in Lebanon
17 May 2023
While Lebanon has hosted the largest number of refugees per capita since the armed conflict began in Syria, it has simultaneously and continuously failed to create a clear legal framework and policies for refugees, leaving them in constant insecurity.
Joint Statement by Lebanon CSOs on the situation in occupied Palestine and Lebanon
23 October 2023
We are deeply shocked at the horrendous attack carried out on the night of 17 October into the Al Ahli hospital, in the besieged Gaza Strip, which led to the death of 471 people[1], including children, health care staff, and Internally Displaced People (IDPs), being the deadliest incident in Gaza since hostilities escalated. Earlier that day, an attack on a UNRWA school left six casualties and dozens injured.
Boats of death: Killing borders and lost justice
06 February 2023
The Sixth of February was declared a Global Day of CommemorAction for the Dead, Missing, and Forcefully Disappeared at Sea and the Borders.
On this occasion, the below-mentioned local and international civil society organizations call upon all to remember the tragedies of those who have died and went missing while attempting to cross seas and borders all over the world,
