A cry from behind bars: Families of detainees in Lebanon demand a general amnesty to end the suffering in prisons.

Beirut, Lebanon – Families of detainees in Lebanese prisons have called for a general amnesty for their relatives, asserting that years of prolonged detention without judicial resolution have transformed prisons into centers of escalating human and legal suffering. This comes amidst extremely difficult living and health conditions.

During demonstrations and sit-ins, the families emphasized that many detainees remain behind bars without final verdicts. They also argued that the delays in adjudicating cases constitute a “double punishment” not stipulated by law. They urged the authorities to assume their legal and humanitarian responsibilities and expedite judicial procedures or grant an amnesty to end this suffering.

The protesters pointed out that overcrowding in prisons and the deterioration of health and food services threaten the lives of detainees. They demanded that the state address the issue as an urgent humanitarian matter that cannot tolerate further delays or political calculations.

This escalation comes at a time when Lebanon is experiencing multiple crises, ranging from economic collapse to institutional paralysis. As a result, the issue of detainees is once again at the forefront of public debate, between popular demands for amnesty and official reservations that fear its political and security repercussions.