Daily Star - FHHRL Human Rights activist wont attend Military Court hearing

Rights activist won't attend Military Court hearing


By The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Civil rights activist Nour Merheb told reporters on Wednesday that he would not attend a Military Court hearing on July 1 on charges of attacking a Lebanese Army soldier. He also threatened to go on a hunger strike if he was arrested.
Merheb, 24, was being tried for allegedly refusing to pay a LL2.5 million ($1,666) fine imposed on him for being involved in a fight with a soldier.
However, Merheb claimed he was attacked by the soldier and the tribunal was wrong to try him with a possible sentence of three years in prison.
Merheb spoke during a news conference organized by the Foundation for Human and Humanitarian Rights (FHHR) on the special courts in Lebanon, as part of its efforts to push for judicial reforms.
Head of the FHHR Wael Kheir described the case of Merheb, who refuses to cooperate with the military court or comply with its orders.
“What’s unique about today’s action is that for the first time in Lebanon an individual is standing up for his rights by publicly and non-violently objecting to injustice using democratic methods to cause change in developed nations. We hope this position will be replicated,” Kheir said.
Merheb also discussed in his speech the legal reasons behind the existence of the Military Court, adding that the Military Court Law was in contradiction with the Lebanese Constitution and the international treaties signed by Lebanon.
Merheb called upon the government and Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar to propose a summary law that immediately abrogates the authority of the Military Court (other than its disciplinary authority over military personnel), and demanded that Parliament adopt and pass that summary law.
The activist hoped that his action would be emulated and adopted by others.
Merheb also thanked all the associations and organizations that supported him, inviting the media and the public to visit the website www.case2769.org for more information about the campaign. – The Daily Star


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