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08/04/2024

Executive Summary

The study addresses the challenges and problems people are facing in prisons and detention centres in Lebanon. The study conducted and published by Cedar Centre for Legal Studies presents the reality of prisons in Lebanon in light of the current, political, economic and health crisis. The study raises the question if there are political measures to protect detainees and prisoners in light of these crises. Prisons, in general, are significant places for diseases, especially infectious diseases, due to the high prevalence of risk factors for infection and actual infection. Environmental factors in prison such as unavoidable close contact, excessive overcrowding, poor ventilation and limited access to healthcare services are such aforementioned risk factors.

The study is based on a desk review and studies, as well as on two interviews conducted in February 2024 with attorney Normen Halawi and attorney Mohamad Sablouh. Personal data of prisoners and detainees was anonymised and used with their consent. The study is divided into seven sections: prison management and overcrowding, prisoner rights and Nelson Mandela’s rules, management of detention centres between torture and the culture of violence, classification of prisoners, medical services in prisons, material conditions, and prisons under scrutiny. At the end of the study, we make recommendations drawing from the legal, health and livelihood aspects.