Lebanese Government Discusses Extraditing Syrian Prisoners to Assad Regime

The Lebanese government convened a meeting at the Grand Serail in Beirut to address the issue of Syrian prisoners currently held in Lebanese facilities. Justice Minister Henry Khoury announced that Major General Elias al-Bisri, the director of Lebanese security, will engage in discussions with the Assad regime to find a resolution for the approximately 2,500 Syrian convicts and detainees in Lebanese prisons.

The meeting, attended by the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, Secretary-General, and security officials, examined the possibility of extraditing Syrian nationals to serve their sentences in their home country, even without the prisoners' consent. However, this proposal has faced criticism from human rights advocates and legal experts.

Lebanese lawyer Mohammed Sablouh disputed the reported number of Syrian detainees and highlighted the poor conditions in Lebanese prisons. Sablouh cautioned that any decision to transfer prisoners to the Syrian regime would be met with opposition from human rights advocates, citing the Convention against Torture.

Why this matters: The potential extradition of Syrian prisoners to the Assad regime raises significant human rights concerns, given Syria's track record of torture and mistreatment of detainees. The outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the safety and well-being of the Syrian prisoners in question.

As the Lebanese government confronts the issue of Syrian prisoners, the international community will be closely monitoring the situation. Justice Minister Khoury emphasized the need to find a resolution, stating, "There are approximately 2,500 Syrian convicts and detainees in Lebanese prisons." The government's decision on this matter will likely face scrutiny from human rights organizations and the international community, given the sensitive nature of the situation and the potential risks involved in extraditing prisoners to the Assad regime.

Key Takeaways

• Lebanese govt. to discuss extraditing 2,500 Syrian prisoners to Assad regime.
• Proposal faces criticism from human rights advocates due to Syria's torture record.
• Lebanese lawyer disputes prisoner count, warns of poor prison conditions.
• Outcome could have far-reaching implications for prisoners' safety and well-being.
• International community to closely monitor the Lebanese government's decision.