BEIRUT: Families of inmates demonstrated outside the Grand
Serail Monday to pressure the Lebanese government to endorse a law to reduce
the prison year to nine months.
A crowd of about 150 families of inmates from jails across
Lebanon, particularly the notorious Roumieh prison northeast of Beirut, took
part in the protest outside the Grand Serail in Downtown Beirut shortly before
midday.
The demonstration, in coordination with the prisoners, was aimed
to put more pressure on Parliament to endorse a draft law to reduce the prison
year from 12 to nine months.
Authorities have been facing mounting pressure from inmates who
in recent weeks have escalated their protests to include hunger strikes.
In April, a three-day riot by inmates at Roumieh fueled by harsh
living conditions left at least four people dead and almost 10 others wounded
as prisoners demanded general amnesty.
In August, lawmakers who had turned down the original draft law
to reduce the prison year, passed the bill for revision to the Administration
and Justice Committee.
But the head
of the committee Robert Ghanem suggested each prisoner case be considered
separately and individually.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-21/154743-prisoners-families-protest-outside-lebanon-parliament.ashx#axzz1eGNODTwV
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