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PARLIAMENT

Parliament's Human Rights Committee discuss prisoners' rights, torture

Parliament's Human Rights Committee discuss prisoners' rights, torture

Elections of parliamentary committees in Nejmeh Square, 7 June, 2022. (Credit: Ali Fawaz/Lebanese Parliament)

BEIRUT — The Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights held a session this afternoon, headed by MP Michel Moussa, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Here’s what we know:

  • Caretaker Minister of Justice Henry Khoury attended the meeting, as did MPs Qassem Hashem, George Okais, Hassan Ezzeddine, Halime Kaakour, Melhem Khalaf, Simon Abi Ramia and Rami Fateh.

  • After the session, the committee met with the Minister of Justice and asked for the implementation of Article 47 of the Lebanese Penal Code, which prevents the judicial police from detaining a suspect unless ordered to do so by the Public Prosecutor, and then within a period that does not exceed 48 hours.

  • The code also guarantees the prisoner’s right to remain silent, to avoid self-incrimination, the right to contact one a lawyer or an acquaintance, the right to meet with a lawyer of the detainee’s choosing, and the right to medical care.

  • MP Michel Moussa stated that the committee has discussed “conditions in Lebanese prisons and expediting trials,” as well as acting on judicial appointments.

  • Also discussed was the enforcement of Law 17/65, derived from an international convention against torture, was, specifically “adherence to the fine points of of this law,” Moussa said

  • The committee also emphasized that complaints of preliminary investigations of torture should not be referred to the security apparatus accused of said torture.

BEIRUT — The Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights held a session this afternoon, headed by MP Michel Moussa, the state-run National News Agency reported.Here’s what we know:   • Caretaker Minister of Justice Henry Khoury attended the meeting, as did MPs Qassem Hashem, George Okais, Hassan Ezzeddine, Halime Kaakour, Melhem Khalaf, Simon Abi Ramia and Rami Fateh.  • After the...