Amnesty International heralded Lebanon’s recent Shura Council ruling regarding actor Ziad Itani’s case as a watershed moment for combating torture and impunity. Announced on December 5, 2024, this landmark ruling not only acknowledges the Lebanese government’s responsibility for Itani’s ordeal but also mandates restitution for the physical and psychological damage he endured.
The state faltered in upholding Itani’s presumption of innocence, as authorities and the media prematurely revealed damaging details from the initial investigation, tarnishing his reputation and causing immense public humiliation. This breach of confidentiality and fairness directly ties back to the inaction of bodies such as the State Security Directorate, the Supreme Defense Council, and the National Council for Audiovisual Media.
Moreover, Amnesty highlighted the failure of justice in the case of Bashar Abd Saud, a Syrian refugee who succumbed to torture at the hands of Lebanese State Security. Despite blatant evidence, charges against those involved were lessened from felony to misdemeanour, greatly reducing their potential penalties and facilitating a culture of impunity that undermines Lebanon’s Anti-Torture Law of 2017.
Ziad Itani became a victim of false accusations of collaboration with Israel in 2017, an allegation ultimately debunked, yet it didn’t shield him from severe torture by State Security forces. His harrowing experiences included whip lashings, hanging, and other brutalities that exemplify the pervasive issues within Lebanon’s justice, security, and administrative systems, which are regularly accused of complicity in human rights violations.
The Shura Council’s ruling accentuated the Lebanese state’s failures, revealing that it neither stopped nor protected Itani from the inflicted torture, thus contravening international accords and Lebanon’s own laws against such acts. Despite overwhelming evidence, including admissions from State Security officials and the existence of a designated torture chamber, the government remained inactive, failing to safeguard detainees.
Condemnation fell upon the Lebanese state for not holding accountable those responsible for Itani’s suffering, highlighting how, even post apologies, systemic impunity remained prevalent. The ruling exemplified the Ministry of Justice’s dereliction in prosecuting offenders, even promoting individuals linked to Itani’s torture.
In a rare acknowledgment of state accountability, Itani was awarded 480 million Lebanese pounds (approximately $5,360.13) in compensation, a signal of hope in Lebanon’s fight against human rights violations. Amnesty International lauded the decision, calling it a turning point, and urged Lebanese officials to harness this momentum to pursue meaningful reforms and eradicate the culture of impunity.
Amnesty International applauds Lebanon’s Shura Council ruling in Ziad Itani’s case as a significant milestone against torture and impunity. The ruling acknowledges government responsibility for Itani’s abuse and mandates compensation for his suffering. It also draws attention to failures in another case involving Syrian refugee Bashar Abd Saud, further highlighting the challenges within Lebanon’s legal framework regarding human rights violations.
The Shura Council’s ruling on Ziad Itani’s case marks a crucial step towards justice in Lebanon, spotlighting the urgent need for reform in the face of systemic torture and impunity. With the recognition of state accountability and compensation awarded to Itani, there exists a renewed hope for human rights protections, compelling the Lebanese government to act against ongoing violations and implement lasting changes.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
