Can anyone explain to me what are Roumieh inmates complaining about? Because all what I’ve read so far is that the reason that triggered all this mess was that they were deprived of their cell phones?
I still can’t believe they were allowed to have phones in the first place.
Add to that, most of them are among Lebanon’s most wanted criminals, either wanted for murder, terrorism, theft, drug trafficking etc …
A mother was on TV yesterday arguing on what’s wrong if her boy sells a bit of drugs since the government is doing worse things. What sort of nonsense is this?
Another 50 year old woman burned herself (WTF?!) asking to release her son from Roumieh. [Link]
Looking at the inside report that NowLebanon published, they are very well treated compared to foreign prisoners and given the crimes they’ve committed.
Last but not least, who’s brilliant idea is it to ignite fires inside the prison cells as a sign of protest?
So you don’t see a problem when 80% of Roumieh’s prison population are still awaiting to be tried? The prison itself is not the problem its the entire judicial system where you are guilty until proved innocent.
Jad Aoun,
Keep in mind that those inmates are mostly from Fath el Islam and are terrorists and are considered as dangerous individuals until their trial period. Ba3den what do prison guards and ISF and other security officials have to do with the juridical system?
Let them go demonstrate in front of the Justice ministry and not Roumieh Prison.
Something’s very weird about their demonstrations and specially the timing.
Najib,
To my knowledge and from what I have been reading, as Jad stayed many prisoners are in prison without being taken to trial. A man has been charged with drug abuse, and has been in Roumieh prison for over 3 years waiting for a trial! Serving time without trial?
I am not saying that all are good people… definitely not. Half if not most prisoners are guilty of their crimes, and some deserve to rot in prison.
Roumieh prison is in horrible state. The number of inmates are 5 times the actually capacity limit. That isn’t acceptable. If you clear out those who aren’t supposed to be in there, and pardon those who deserve it, then it might help lower the amount of inmates.
Roumieh prison does not meet UN standards.
However, as much as I respect Zaid Baroud for all the work he has done as Minister of Interior in the recent years, I would like to question him on Roumieh prison, not on the state of it, but what the hell is going on in there? A couple of years ago prisoners with knives held guards hostage, now this, plus the cell phone matter, and so much more. Knives in prison? Cell phones? (some have BB or iphones with data plans!!)
They are allowed to have cell phones while they’re in prison? WTH????
Rita,
Under the Lebanese law, you can keep an individual under custody if he is believed to be a threat on national security. There is no limited time for keeping him in, thats why there are so many inside without a trial yet, but again if the problem is justice-related, let them go demonstrate elsewhere, not create chaos inside Roumieh because its simply the wrong place to do it.
Roumieh prison does not meet UN standards, but most of those protesting are living like kings inside that prison with TVs and phones like you said.
As far as Roumieh prison is concerned, Ziad Baroud is not to blame cause he already fired several officers convicted of helping out prisoners but he cannot just fire everyone and close down the prison. Its way more complicated than that. Corruption is everywhere to be seen in the ISF and unless you kick everyone out, there doesnt seem to be another solution.
Najib,
I am not arguing with you on the point on where the families are protesting. I do agree with that. While watching yesterday, it annoyed and angered me to see these families throwing rocks at the ISF and I am DEFINITELY against prisoners holding guards as hostages!!
Under Lebanese law, you are correct, those believed to be a threat to national security are placed under custody. However, the prisoners I am discussing are those who were charged for petty crimes and not trialled. Some have been serving time a lot longer than they would if they were tried and found guilty.
I of course, do not believe that ALL prisoners should be pardoned, but I do think that some may be pardoned. Internationally, there are conditions that are placed that make certain prisoners eligible for pardoning.
In regards to Roumieh prison meeting UN standards, think of sanitation and hygiene. Think of a shoplifter sharing a cell with a mass murderer/rapist. Think of 12 people sharing a cell that fits 3.
I think the families and some of the prisoners protesting are harming the case rather than supporting the case. Certain reforms should be made, trials should be sped, some prisoners should be pardoned. Maybe build a new prison?
The situation is tricky for the ISF right now and God help them.
I’d like to add something… am watching the protest live on tv right now and again the protesting and throwing rocks at the ISF, I tell the ISF HOSE THEM DOWN! Why haven’t they until now? ISF has hosed down protestors before, why not these protestors?
as everything, it’s a lost cause among the political bickering. most importantly, it’s a politically triggered cause as i can see it.
Here’s some interesting facts from SOLIDA:
66% of Lebanon’s prison population is unconvicted. 13% have completed their sentences but have yet to be released. 21% have been convicted and are serving their terms. (2009 stats)
The solution is not the construction of more jails, its getting the judicial and prison administration system in check.
Those non-convicted could be all sent to be executed Jad. This doesn’t mean anything.
As for those not yet released, I wish we had more details on their cases as it is unfair for them to stay but I doubt that those are the ones rioting.
Najib,
Prison Roumieh is one of the prisons with a lot of question marks around it. It has a lot of issues. To add to that, this is Lebanon- where chaos and lawlessness exist that allow prison systems to do nothing by the book.
I think these riots are just to put pressure on the government and destabilize the situation. I don’t think fath el islam were living in better conditions in nahr el bared than in Roumieh.
Plus the prisoners are asking for (3afou 3am!!!).
I cant believe the criminals of fath el Islam are seriously asking to get their freedom!
Najib,
1. You r being very judgmental…yes those are criminals but that does not mean they are not human.
2. They might not be criminal…Lebanon is not a bastion of good justice practice.
3. The prison condition are less than ideal…a lot less than acceptable.
Devin,
Not having cell phones and TVs in cells does not make them any less human.
The way they are behaving is unacceptable and the worst part is how their families are protesting violently. They took policemen as hostages for God’s sake. All what’s left is they kill one of them and still request a general pardon?
If those are the same people who were fighting with Fath el Islam, their status as human beings is highly debatable. Anyway lets not get there. The issue is simple. They want justice, let them go to the ministry of justice and courts, not to the prison.
Status as human beings is debateable? That doesn’t apply to anyone even your worst enemy. Fath El-Islam fighters are probably a) brainwashed and b) In need.
I’m not too updated on the details of what’s happening in Roumieh but I know there are many concerns from those who live in the prison and their families. Roumieh as a prison has been taken up many times on T.V. shows.
Violence is never the answer but the way human beings work is interesting- we turn to violence sometimes because of underlying issues- it becomes the only way to get what we want. People aren’t just bad violent people.
May God protect our policemen whom certainly don’t deserve bad treatment and may this issue be resolved soon and get over with.
Let’s not be judgemental of people and just because Fath El-Islam members are in there doesn’t mean all the people are from them and doesn’t mean people don’t deserve their rights to be protected.
Its funny how in Lebanon when government does something right we criticize it and when it does something wrong we find ways to justify it. We are really a messed up people.
Mariam,
I never asked for vengeance against those criminals who murdered our army men but the methods they used were monstrous and inhuman by all means. Nevertheless, I was saying it as a matter of speech and I only watch justice to prevail.
Our government has not done anything wrong, at least not the policemen and security forces. The wrong lies in the juridical system that did not put into trial yet those convicts for whatsoever reason.
That’s why I am questioning those riots and asking them to go complain somewhere else, where they should be.
This country is a joke, half of the prisoners there are treated like shit without trial. Good job lebanon, what a country. Hope the prisoners burn this whole shit hole
ya whats wrong with sahnaoui not being prisoned there. he should be there first if there was justice in this justice shit system