Amnesty International Says Detained Syrian Refugees Were Tortured In Lebanon

Arab World

March 24th, 8:43am

Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

A young Syrian man sits outside a tent in a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town of Zahle in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on June 23, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / HAITHAM MOUSSAWI)

Amnesty International (AI) said on Tuesday that Lebanese security forces had committed shocking violations against Syrian refugees who have been arrested in the past years in Lebanon on terrorism-related charges. In a new report “I wish I would die” AI documents an array of violations committed by primarily Lebanese military intelligence against 26 Syrian refugees, including four children, detained in Lebanon on terrorism-related charges between 2014-2021. In all but one of the 26 cases, refugees reported being tortured, either during interrogation or detention. “Most frequently this occurred at Ablah military intelligence center, the General Security office in Beirut or at the Ministry of Defense,” the report said. It documented that two of the torture survivors were aged just 15 and 16 years old at the time and that at least four men said they were beaten so badly that they lost consciousness and two had broken teeth. The organization also reported the ill-treatment of two women who were sexually harassed and verbally assaulted in detention. All 26 detainees were denied access to a lawyer during initial questioning, in violation of Lebanese and international laws and standards. The report said violations committed by primarily Lebanese military intelligence against the detainees include beatings with metal sticks, electric cables, and plastic pipes. Detainees also described being hung upside down or forced into stress positions for prolonged periods of time. “This report offers a snapshot of the Lebanese authorities’ cruel, abusive and discriminatory treatment of Syrian refugees detained on suspicion of terrorism-related charges,” said Marie Forestier, Researcher on Refugee and Migrants Rights at Amnesty International. AI said it calls on the Lebanese authorities to ensure all Syrian detainees are granted a fair trial that adheres to international standards. “They must also urgently end the practice of trying civilians in military courts,” it added. Since 2011, Lebanon has taken 1.5 million Syrian refugees, many of them sheltered in camps.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2878666/amnesty-international-says-detained-syrian-refugees-were-tortured-lebanon