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Over 230 Foreigners Languish in Lebanese Prisons after Completing their Terms

On February 27, 2010

Yesterday, 14 Lebanese and international human rights organizations voiced their opposition to the continued detention of migrants and refugees in a letter to Lebanese Prime Minister, President and Ministers of Interior and Justice.

Currently, over 230 foreigners including 13 refugees who have completed their sentence are held in Lebanese prisons. Continuing to hold migrants after the completion of their prison terms is against Lebanese and international law. Currently, the Internal Security Forces that manage the prisons transfer foreign detainees to the Directorate General of General Security after the completion of their prison term, regardless of whether the courts ordered their deportation or not. Many are held for months by the Directorate before being released or deported.

We call on all our readers in Lebanon to join the demonstration held tomorrow, February 28 in front of the General Security Retention Center in Adlieh, Beirut at 12:00 PM to protest this hideous and illegal practice.