The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) has urged the Lebanese government and Syria’s transitional authorities to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of approximately 2,000 Syrian detainees held in Lebanon, many of whom face dire conditions and indefinite imprisonment.
In a February report, the SNHR highlighted the plight of detainees, including at least 190 individuals imprisoned for their involvement in the Syrian revolution. Many of these detainees, held in Roumieh prison and other Lebanese facilities, have endured years of arbitrary detention without fair trials, facing overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and limited access to legal representation.
Hunger Strike in Roumieh Prison
Frustrated by prolonged detention and harsh conditions, dozens of Syrian detainees at Roumieh prison began a hunger strike on Feb. 11, demanding their deportation to Syria. According to SNHR, several hunger strikers are experiencing severe health deterioration, with limited medical care available. Despite their worsening condition, Lebanese authorities have yet to respond to their demands.
The network reported that many detainees were convicted in military courts based on coerced confessions obtained through torture and intimidation. Some were sentenced to long prison terms on terrorism-related charges, while others remain in pretrial detention with no clear end in sight.
Calls for Legal Protection & Humanitarian Action
The SNHR has called on the Lebanese government to coordinate with the new Syrian authorities to establish a legal mechanism for the safe repatriation of detainees while ensuring fair trials. It also urged Lebanon to abolish military trials for civilians, improve detention conditions, and reduce overcrowding in its prisons.
The organization emphasized that Syrian returnees must be protected from arbitrary detention and abuse upon their return. It called on international human rights organizations to monitor repatriation efforts and advocate for detainees’ rights.
Widespread Concerns Over Syrian Detainees
The issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanon has gained attention following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Human rights activists and journalists have launched the “Save Syrian Detainees in Lebanon” campaign, pressuring Lebanese authorities to address the issue.
Aisha Sabri, a journalist involved in the campaign, told the press that detainees live in desperate conditions, facing daily mistreatment. “These individuals were imprisoned under Lebanon’s previous coordination with the Assad regime. Now that the regime has fallen, there is no justification for their continued detention,” she said.
Detainees and their families fear continued neglect as political negotiations drag on. In January, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Syria’s new government to discuss repatriation, but the agreement has yet to be implemented.
With hunger strikers risking their lives and conditions in Lebanese prisons deteriorating, human rights organizations are calling for immediate intervention to prevent further suffering and ensure justice for detained Syrians.
