Human rights abuses in Khiam Prison under the Israeli occupation to Lebanon : a story of unnoticed ex-detainees

Abstract

After about twenty years of occupation, the Israeli presence in Lebanon almost reached its end in 2000. Following many massacres and excessive breaches of Human Rights, Lebanon succeeded to get back its territories in the South and in the Bekaa by means of the subsistent resistance of Hezbollah Party in general. However, a small portion of Shebaa farms remains a question of debate up until today. The ultimate breaches of Human Rights were found in Khiarn Prison concerning torture conducts or concerning the absence of the international Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners set by the United Nations and the unfair trials that were given by the Lebanese Government to the Prison guardians. Words are easier than facts. The violations made could never been acknowledged by any human mind (electricity shocks, no lightning in the rooms, no ventilation, exposure to the sun for only 10 minutes each twenty days, given expiry date and rotten food, harsh beating, very low hygiene standards .... ). The most scandalous fact is that people who guard those prisoners and apply those astonishing violations are Lebanese themselves. The wardens of the prison (known as Lahd army or the South Lebanese Army) work under the supervision of Israelis and know the prisoners and their families since before the imprisonment. Above all, Prison Guardians are the key-factor behind the imprisonment of the ex-detainees who stayed in jail for very long periods with no legal judgement; and key elements of the Israeli occupation to Lebanon. The process of this research paper would start my first chapter by a brief history of Lebanon to put in context the occupation of Lebanon and the reasons for the existence of Khiarn Detention Center. Afterwards, two chapters will follow to draw a picture of facts concerning the details of the prison and acts of excessive torture, inhuman and degrading ill-treatments that where taking place in the prison. The fourth chapter would evaluate conditions of the prison and compare them to the Minimum Standard conditions of imprisonment set by the UN as international standards to be applied within each and every imprisonment condition. The future of the ex-detainees after their release will be tackled in the fifth chapter especially concerning the efforts developed to reintegrate them into society as productive components after lost many years of self-acquisition in jail. I would be suggesting solutions for the improvement of Human Rights in Lebanon in this particular case and on a general scope. In my concluding chapter, I would like to wind up by proposing a certain system, the best way by which Human Rights could improve on the international arena. I would suggest a body that is the synthesis of the actual role of the United Nations, enforced by the Belgian Jurisdiction Law end the power of the International Criminal Court. This body should be able to exercise jurisdiction on every human being on earth, even personalities of high political status. A system that hoh.ls people accountable for their acts when feeling watched in every step or decision they make, whatever and wherever they are. Personally, being a person who believes that works are more important than words, and that implementation is more fruitful than sayings and speeches; I hope that at the end of my thesis I would be able to find a solution that could make a change for the benefit of the neglected ex-detainees or could give suggestions for the amelioration of the situation in the newly unoccupied area in the south. Wishing that the condition of Human Rights would progress in Lebanon and the Mediterranean area in particular; and simultaneously improves in scale in the world on a general scope for the well being of humanity.