HRW calls for probe into police violence against protesters in Lebanon

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Lebanon to initiate an impartial investigation into the use of force by security personnel to disperse a peaceful protest on 19 August.

The Lebanese police allegedly used excessive force to disperse a crowd of approximately 100 who were protesting the government’s failure to resolve a trash removal problem in front of government headquarters, known as the Grand Serail.

Local witnesses claimed that the police fired water hoses without warning and kicked protesters and beat them with batons after they attempted to remove the barbed wire separating them from the Grand Serail. At least two protesters required medical care.

However, an Internal Security Forces representative Jospeh Moussalem told LBC that the security officers practised maximum restraint to prevent a riot but that protesters resisted and pushed back.

Human Rights Watch Middle East deputy director Nadim Houry said: "Violence has no role in responding to peaceful assembly and basic social demands.

"Lebanese authorities should respect the protesters’ rights and listen to their demands for a sustainable solution to the garbage crisis.

"The authorities should make clear at the highest levels that aggressive and excessive police actions will absolutely not be tolerated."

Under article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Lebanese authorities can only impose proportionate limitations on demonstrations ‘in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.’

Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Committee has also urged the Lebanese authorities to allow an independent review of police conduct during the demonstrations, and use maximum restraint in response to protests.

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Image: Policemen spray water to disperse people protesting against a trash removal problem in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: © 2015Reuters/Mohamed Azakir.