Lebanon: Information on the avenues of redress available to the victims of human rights abuses in the last six months of 1992

According to a researcher at Middle East Watch in New York who recently visited Lebanon, people who wish to complain of human rights abuses may present their cases to the Public Prosecutor's Office (3 Feb. 1993). The representative added that the Public Prosecutor's Office does not handle cases of complaints consistently (Ibid.). The representative stated that one of the explanations for the inconsistencies may be that the Public Prosecutor's Office is usually less likely to fully investigate cases involving political opponents (especially Aoun's supporters) of the Lebanese government (Ibid.). A Middle East researcher at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in New York corroborated this information (3 Feb. 1993). The representative of Middle East Watch added that the chance of a full investigation of a case by the Public Prosecutor's Office, may be increased if the person is supported by an influential person, usually a member of parliament or a prominent leader of a Lebanese family (Ibid.). People who wish to complain of human rights abuses may also request help from the Lebanese Lawyers Association (Ibid.). However, the representative reported that the likelihood of success is limited with this organization because of its lack of financial resources (Ibid.). Also, lawyers from the Association may be afraid of retribution if they become involved in cases dealing with political opponents, especially supporters of General Aoun (Ibid.).

The representative further reported that the Syrian army and secret service decreased the number of their direct arrests, however, when an arrest is made, the legal protection a national of Lebanon is entitled to receive is less likely to be effective (Ibid.). In a case of a direct arrest by the Syrian army or secret service, the person is usually imprisoned in Syria (Ibid.). One of the few avenues through which the person may be returned to Lebanon is to be supported by a prominent Lebanese leader (Ibid.). In the area occupied by Syria, the Syrian army or the Syrian secret service reportedly made arrests and imprisoned persons without charging them (Ibid.). The same situation exists in the area occupied by the South Lebanese Army (SLA) and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) (Ibid.). This information is corroborated by a Middle East researcher at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (3 Feb. 1993). The representative of Middle East Watch further reported that the SLA and the IDF control the Khiam prison in the so-called "security zone" and access to the prisoners is denied (Ibid.). In both Syrian and Israeli SLA- controlled territory reported cases of torture are recurrent (Ibid.).

Militias like the Hezbollah and the SLA reportedly abduct civilians and access to them is impossible (Ibid.). On 28 January 1993, supporters of General Aoun were accused and put on trial because they were distributing pro-Aoun pamphlets (Ibid.). A Middle East researcher at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in New York stated that the government of Lebanon does not allow any public pro-Aoun demonstrations (3 Feb. 1993). The representative of the Lawyers Committee added that people who publicly oppose the Syrian presence in Lebanon may face imprisonment (Ibid.). The representative mentioned several cases of torture of Aoun's supporters (Ibid.).

According to a representative of the American Near East Refugee Aid in Washington, Palestinians who wish to return to Lebanon are unable to obtain return visas from the local Embassies or Consulate of Lebanon (3 Feb. 1993).

Additional and/or corroborating information on this subject is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.

References

Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, New York. 3 February 1993. Telephone Interview with Representative.

Middle East Watch, New York. 3 February 1993. Telephone Interview with Representative.

American Near East Refugee Aid, Washington. 3 February 1993. Telephone Conversation with Representative.