BEIRUT: Prisoners at Lebanon’s largest prison complex Roumieh
have given up their medications in a bid to pressure authorities to reduce the
prison year, security sources said Wednesday.
The sources said prisoners at Ward B of the prison complex,
including those with medical conditions such as diabetes, handed over their
medications to the administration in protest at the government’s failure to
meet their demands.
Prison reforms were carried out by the government following a
three-day riot in April that left four people dead and 10 others injured.
Inmates were protesting poor living conditions and demanding general amnesty.
One of the reforms that the government agreed to implement was
the establishment of a number of additional prisons across the country to
resolve overpopulation in facilities such as Roumieh. The largest jail in the
country, Roumieh prison was built for around 1,500 prisoners, but presently
houses more than 3,700 inmates.
However, the government failed to pass a law in August that
would allow prisoners to seek a reduction in their prison sentence.
Human rights
activists have repeatedly urged the government to implement further reforms to
resolve pressing issues facing prisoners in the country.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Nov-16/154286-roumieh-inmates-refuse-medication-in-protest-against-prison-year.ashx#axzz1dsxPgXvI
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