The following information was provided during an interview held in Beirut on 19 April 1996 with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights. The Committee is comprised of eight (8) Members of Parliament and currently works without a special budget or staff.

The Role of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights

The Parliamentary Committee promotes human rights in Lebanese society. It assists the government by proposing legal changes that promote human rights, and by making suggestions to facilitate the coordination of Lebanese laws with international laws. Another of the Committee's functions is to monitor the actions of Lebanese authorities and ensure that they conform to human rights standards.

The Committee has realized many of its gender-based goals. It has been able to promote laws that enable women to be equal to men in Lebanese society. For example, women now have the right to travel abroad freely or start a business, and a woman's testimony in court is given the same weight as that of a man.

The Committee is currently working on an amendment to a law concerning investigation; the amendment would provide all accused people with legal representation through the various steps of legal procedures. The Committee held discussions with the Minister of Justice, and a bill on the issue of legal representation is currently being drafted to be reviewed by the Council of Ministers. This draft bill would curtail the abuse of power by the police through all stages of an investigation.

Another issue that the Committee is beginning to work on is the issue of prison conditions and the treatment of prisoners by the police. For example, the Committee is concerned about instances of torture in Lebanese prisons.

The positive aspect of human rights in Lebanon is that freedom of speech, a crucial tool in bringing human rights issues into the public domain and resolving them, exists.

The coming election, which should strengthen Lebanon's democratic system, and an end to the violence in the south are the two challenges facing human rights in Lebanon. However, as long as war is present in the south, security will be the predominant factor in Lebanese society.

The South Lebanese Army (SLA)

Members of the SLA should desert this organization before peace is implemented on the ground. SLA members should also demonstrate repentance and ask for forgiveness from the government. Such actions would be taken into consideration by authorities when evaluating SLA members' cases. However, the chairman could not provide assurances that members of the SLA would not be sought by the government. The circumstances behind their joining the SLA would be an important factor in determining their treatment by Lebanese authorities. The crucial factor would be whether or not the individual was forced to join the SLA. It would not be in their favour if the person had voluntarily joined the SLA. In fact, individuals who joined the SLA voluntarily and who occupied positions of command would likely be brought to justice. SLA officers and leaders would be able to provide documents proving their positions in the organization.

Family members of individuals forcibly recruited into the SLA, who subsequently desert the organization and ask for forgiveness, would be treated fairly. No harm would be done to them. The chairman stated that there are many cases of SLA members who deserted and who now live a normal life in Lebanon with their families. These individuals were never brought to court. However, these were individuals who were forcibly recruited in the SLA were not in positions of authority in the organization.

Checkpoints

The principal function of army checkpoints, whether operated by the Lebanese or Syrian army, is to ensure that people are not carrying arms. This is one of Lebanon's most crucial security issues. Checkpoints also exist to remind citizens that there will not be a return to civil war in Lebanon.

Army checkpoints are also in place to prevent people from carrying out vengeance attacks. Lebanon is a small country and many individuals know who killed family members or friends. The government cannot permit people to avenge past killings without sacrificing the return to normalcy in Lebanon. A failure to prevent vengeance killings would mean a return to civil war. This is not an option for Lebanon today.

Aoun and Lebanese Forces Supporters

There are thousands of Aoun and the Lebanese Forces supporters in Lebanon who move freely around the country and through checkpoints. People »s support for these groups is not sufficient reason for their being harassed by the security forces. Aoun and the Lebanese Forces supporters, like other groups, will be targeted by the security forces only if they illegally carry arms or organize public demonstrations in the streets. They are not treated in a special manner by the authorities.

Freedom of Assembly

It is currently illegal for any group to conduct public demonstrations in the streets. This ban also applies to pro-government organizations. The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights is against such a ban as people should be free to demonstrate anywhere. Many Lebanese also support this position. However, the government has decided that security is the country's number one priority. Unfortunately, the ban will likely remain in place for some time. The debate is whether it is constitutional to maintain such a ban on public demonstrations. However, there is no ban on public meetings held inside a building. As such, freedom of assembly, crucial for the coming elections, is preserved today in Lebanon. Therefore, various political parties will be able to hold political assemblies to present and debate their political views. The Lebanese would not accept limitations to their ability to hold political assemblies.

This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Chairman, The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Lebanon. 19 April 1996. Interview.