Lebanon
Lebanon joined DCAF in 2007 as the organization’s first member state from the Arab region. Since then, DCAF has worked closely with the Lebanese stakeholders to strengthen public security and justice institutions, render them more responsive to human rights and rule of law obligations steaming from domestic legislation and international conventions signed by the state of Lebanon.
Through its office in Beirut, DCAF has supported reform initiatives undertaken by Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, Internal Security Forces, Lebanese Armed Forces, General Security, State Security, Parliament, and judiciary. DCAF also works closely with civil society, research institutions and media.
Since 2008, at the request of its national partners, DCAF has operated in the following areas:
• Support for strengthening independent oversight (parliamentary, independent oversight bodies, civil society etc.).
• Support for transparency, communication, and information sharing.
• Legal reforms.
• Inclusive dialogue on security needs and policies.
• Managing change in the security and justice sectors.
• Mainstreaming Human Rights and the Rule of Law with particular focus on Gender
• Strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC)
For more information on our programme refer to: 2021-2024 MENA Strategy.
Workstreams/Projects
DCAF supports the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) and other security agencies, namely the General Directorate for General Security and the Directorate General for State Security, in combatting torture through providing expertise to draft strategic documents, standard operational procedures (SOPs), policy papers, and development of tools and guidelines.
DCAF also helps with the entire process of finalizing, implementing, and training security agencies’ members on the new procedures for investigation and detention. DCAF works on supporting ISF Antitorture Committee and helped the ISF Anti-Drugs Bureau equip a model interview room adhering to the requirements of the Lebanese law.
DCAF then engages in developing communication channels between security agencies and civil society related to situation in prisons and related reforms. Across DCAF’s interventions gender approach plays a critical role. DCAF considers it a crosscutting priority but also focuses on aspects of gender work e.g., series of training on gender aspects of management of places of deprivation of liberty, assessment of gender prisons.
DCAF supports the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to develop a locally owned approach to civil-military cooperation (CIMIC). This includes providing expertise at the conceptual and strategic levels, in the development of processes and procedures, and in strengthening the relationship between security providers and citizens, including in conflict affected communities.
DCAF is actively engaged in supporting the LAF-CIMIC directorate to implement community-based projects through a “learning by doing” approach. This notably includes the delivery of advisory support, both technical and programme management related, on the proposals being developed, on the implementation as well as on the monitoring of the projects.
In parallel, DCAF is supporting the establishment of a Homeland CIMIC Center of Excellence with the support of the CIMIC Centre of Excellence in the Hague and on strengthening coordination among all international partners supporting the LAF-CIMIC directorate.
As part of its Assistance Programme to the Lebanese Security and Justice Sector, DCAF supported the Lebanese security and justice institutions in ensuring the rule of law and respect for human rights. In particular, DCAF provided support to the Human Rights department in improving transparency and public outreach by assisting in developing its communication strategy, as well as an action plan guiding the implementation of the strategy.
DCAF supported ISF’s PRD through capacity-building sessions of staff and officers of the department focusing on the use of social media and drafting of press releases. Moreover, DCAF held roundtable discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the NHRI, Ministry of Justice, parliamentary committees, and security agencies to look at the structure for a national system of oversight and priorities for follow-up amongst the various components of this system.
Military Justice and Fair Trial in Lebanon (Arabic/English)
This paper delves into the structure and functioning of the military judiciary in Lebanon, focusing on its compliance with international standards for fair trials. It highlights the challenges faced by both accused individuals and victims under its jurisdiction, offering a detailed analysis of the system's shortcomings and areas requiring reform.
Military Justice and Torture Cases in Lebanon (Arabic/English)
This paper investigates the military judiciary’s jurisdiction over torture crimes in Lebanon, emphasizing cases that have emerged since the adoption of Anti-Torture Law no. 65 of 2017. This paper is part of an ongoing effort to contribute to the debate on accountability for torture crimes in Lebanon. It critically examines how the military judiciary handles such cases and provides detailed recommendations for Lebanese authorities to enhance accountability and align with human rights standards.
| Adam Styp-Rekowski | Head of Office |
| Diana Vartanian | Senior Programme Manager |
| Norma Kazaan | Programme Manager |
| Karina Pedersen | Programme Manager |
| Talal Hussein | Resource Manager |
| Marwan Kotob | Project Officer |
| Elise Nassif | Junior Project Officer |
| Shahed Tabaja | Junior Project Officer - Finance |
| Salah Salloum | Driver |
PUBLICATIONS
Contacts
Adam Styp-Rekowski, Head of Lebanon Office (a.styp-rekowski@dcaf.ch)
Diana Vartanian, Programme Manager (d.vartanian@dcaf.ch)