Geneva - The use of excessive force by the Lebanese security services against peaceful demonstrations condemning the
deteriorating economic situation in the country constitutes a violation of human rights and a flagrant violation of the
freedom of expression guaranteed by Article 13 of the Lebanese Constitution, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor
said in a statement on October 1, 2019.
The security forces had dealt with some Lebanese demonstrators in Beirut in an "inhuman and brutal manner", as well as
carrying out indiscriminate arrests in the wake of those demonstrations.
A video acquired by the Euro-Med shows five members of the Lebanese security forces beating a demonstrator near the
headquarters of the Lebanese government after knocking him down, kicking him with their feet and batons.
On the other hand, the General Directorate of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces issued a statement explaining the
incident. The statement said that it would have been better for those who filmed the video to document the full incident
and not only part of it and respect the truth, professionalism and human dignity.
The Euro-Med documented testimonies of three protesters who survived the security forces' assault. They reported that
the security forces hunted and assaulted a number of their colleagues using batons, and then arrested them, taking them
to an unknown location.
According to these witnesses, the security forces used excessive force to disperse demonstrators who gathered in
hundreds in front of the government’s headquarters, Grand Serail, beating a number of them after demonstrators tried to
remove the barbed wire separating them from the headquarters.
On Sunday, September 29, hundreds of Lebanese protesters sealed off a number of streets in Beirut with burning tires and
barriers. Other demonstrations took place in several cities to protest against the deteriorating economic and living
conditions in the country.
The protesters called for combating corruption, adopting reforms, forming a competent government and abolishing the
quota system in the country, at a time the Lebanese economy is witnessing a sharp decline, which prompted the parliament
to adopt a deficit budget in an attempt to reduce the public deficit.
"The Lebanese authorities should have respected the rights of the demonstrators and listened to their demands instead of
using excessive force that violates human rights standards," said Mohamed Imad, Euro-Med's legal researcher.
"It is regrettable to see four security personnel beating one person with their feet and batons relentlessly, only
because he was taking part in a demonstration demanding stopping corruption and adopting reforms in the country," he
added.
lmad pointed out that the attack on protesters is a clear violation of the Lebanese Constitution and Lebanon's
international obligations, especially Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which
Lebanon ratified in 1972.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor stressed that the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms
provide that law enforcement officials may use force only if other means are ineffective or won't achieve the desired
result.
The Euro-Med called on the Lebanese authorities to open an immediate and impartial investigation to ensure
accountability for anyone who used excessive use of force, including the assault on some demonstrators. The Lebanese
Parliament should hold the Minister of Interior accountable for the recent attacks against demonstrators and should end
the use of force against protesters in light of the deterioration of economic and living conditions in the country, the
organization added.