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History of Conflicts » Mapping of Political Violence in Lebanon » Arrests and torture by Lebanese soliders and ISF

Conflict Incident Report

Arrests and torture by Lebanese soliders and ISF

Associated Timeline/Case: 
New Wars, No Peace | January, 2006 to December, 2008
Date of incident: 
May 20, 2007 to September 2, 2007
Actors/Parties Involved: 
Lebanese Army
Fatah al-Islam

Around 200 people were arrested for suspected involvement with Fatah al-Islam, and many were tortured by Lebanese soldiers and ISF. -- According to a coalition of NGOs:

>> The majority of the arrests took place at Lebanese Army checkpoints and without a proper judiciary order.

>> All the detainees were denied legal representation while in military custody.

>> Most of the arrested Palestinians have continued to be detained, without fair trial, or were tried before the military court.

-- More than 200 cases of torture and ill treatment were documented, including two cases of death during investigation and detention. The vast majority of the victims were arrested at checkpoints at the outskirts of the camp by military intelligence, transferred to the Ministry of Defense, and then to the Roumieh Prison. The methods of torture documented include severe beatings, the”Balanco” (in which the prisoner is suspended and whipped), deprivation of food, forced confessions, electric shocks, and other methods conducted by Lebanese security forces.

Classification of conflict (primary): 
Individual acts of violence
Violent incidents which do not have a specific or a known political agenda but are caused by the general proliferation of weapons, of trained and untrained soldiers or militants, by the general inefficiency of the Justice system, and past-traditions and histories of violence within society.
Classification of conflict(secondary):
Power & governance conflicts
Violent or non-violent conflicts associated with antagonisms related to internal political tensions between local and/or national groups and parties. These tensions may be encouraged by internal, regional and international parties. Such conflicts are characterized by their defiance and/or opposition to central State power and governance.