Agriculturalists in a field in the Bekaa. (Credit: João Sousa/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — A man was arrested on Wednesday after being filmed beating at least three children in a field in the Ghazzeh region, in West Bekaa, the Internal Security Forces announced.
Here’s what we know:
• In a video shared many times on social media, the man, identified as a supervisor of agricultural work, is seen attacking at least three minors, who he hits in the face, as well as on the soles of the feet with a belt. The abused children, who burst into tears in the video, are Syrian refugees from the Ghazzeh refugee camp, according to L'Orient Today’s correspondent in the Bekaa. The arrested man is also a Syrian national, the ISF said in a tweet.
• The municipality of Ghazzeh condemned the incident and violence against children, calling for severe sanctions against the arrested man. The municipality also denounced "the work and exploitation of children," calling for the latter to be able to attend school.
• According to a July 2021 UNICEF press release, around one in 10 children are sent to work in Lebanon.