Latest news with #RoumiehPrison
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Overcrowded and overlooked: Lebanon's prisons at breaking point
Report by Mirna Daou, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Lebanon's prison system is reaching a breaking point, with overcrowding escalating into a full-blown crisis. Despite mounting pressure, state efforts to address the situation remain sluggish, even as conditions inside detention facilities deteriorate and the financial burden on the government grows. Roumieh Prison, the country's largest and most overcrowded facility, has resumed court hearings, with three exceptional criminal chambers now holding sessions weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. A major contributor to the prison congestion is the high number of incarcerated Syrians. According to the latest figures from the Internal Security Forces (ISF), 1,698 Syrian nationals are currently detained in Lebanese prisons, including individuals accused of terrorism-related offenses. Of these, 1,076 have received final verdicts, while the remaining 622 are still awaiting trial. However, the exact number involved in major crimes remains unclear due to delays in completing a full classification of the detainees. A recent meeting between Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani yielded promises of cooperation, specifically regarding the potential repatriation of Syrian prisoners. Yet, so far, no tangible progress has been made. Key obstacles include the absence of a formal legal framework between Beirut and Damascus, which is necessary to initiate transfers and clarify exceptions for certain cases. Under discussion are potential legal exclusions for prisoners convicted of serious crimes, but those convicted of offenses such as theft or illegal entry are expected to be returned to Syria to serve the remainder of their sentences. This paralysis raises concerns about whether the delay is due to legitimate legal challenges or simply a reflection of the institutional inefficiency that frequently stalls progress in Lebanon. With Syrian detainees comprising roughly 28% of the entire prison population, the consequences of continued inaction are dire, and the strain on Lebanon's penal system shows no sign of easing anytime soon.
Asharq Al-Awsat
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon's Rioting Inmates Call for General Amnesty Law
Riots at Roumieh prison, east of Beirut, renewed on Thursday to pressure the Lebanese parliament to adopt a general amnesty law and slash the prison year from 9 to 6 months. The rioting began on Wednesday night and continued till noon Thursday in an attempt by prisoners to pressure the parliament that was in session. Some of them even carried out mock hangings. However, lawmakers failed to adopt the draft-law and referred it to parliamentary committees 'for further review and amendments.' Asharq Al-Awsat spoke by phone with some of the inmates. One of them said that the prisoners suspended their rioting 'to avoid a confrontation with the guards ... who are not the reason behind our suffering.' 'The prisoners had received promises that the general amnesty draft-law would be adopted during Thursday's session. However, unfortunately, the draft-law was referred to the committees, which are the graveyard for laws.' 'We don't want to resort to escalation so that we don't get into a confrontation with security forces and we don't harm ourselves,' the prisoner added. Lebanon suffers from overcrowded prisons where inmates, who live in poor conditions, demand better treatment and speedier trials. Roumieh prison houses more than 4,000 prisoners, around three times its intended capacity, and has long been infamous for the poor conditions in some of its blocks. A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the rioting on Wednesday and Thursday was limited to block B of the prison, where Islamist inmates are incarcerated. The source said that some of the block's gates were broken down but there were no confrontations between the protesters and the security forces tasked with guarding the prison. When the prisoners were informed about the draft-law's referral to the parliamentary committees for further discussion, they issued a statement accusing 'the parliament of once again disregarding the voice of conscience and humanity.' They called for 'exceptional measures' to resolve the problem of overcrowded prisons that have suffered from 'injustices in arrests and trials.'
