In Lebanon, Roumieh prisoners have been on hunger strike for 10 days over amnesty — Asharq Al-Awsat

In Lebanon, inmates of the Roumieh Central Prison have continued their hunger strike for a tenth day over a challenge to the general amnesty law. Prisoners in Block B, according to Asharq Al-Awsat, are refusing food, water and medication while awaiting the Constitutional Council’s decision on the law.

Health condition of the inmates

A security source told the publication that the situation remains under control for now. At the same time, particular concern surrounds people with chronic illnesses who are also refusing medication.

The prison doctor examines hunger strike participants daily, primarily inmates with health problems. According to the publication’s source, those whose condition worsens are to be transferred to hospital.

Omar al-Atrash, a spokesperson for Lebanon’s prisoners, said that the health of the protest participants is deteriorating and that two inmates were hospitalized on Sunday. He warned that the action could spread to other Lebanese prisons in the coming days.

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Protests and challenge to the law

The hunger strike is accompanied by protests outside prisons. On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at Al-Nour Square in the northern city of Tripoli at the call of a committee representing inmates’ families.

Lebanon’s parliament passed the general amnesty law on August 12, but the document was challenged. According to a judicial source, the prosecutor’s office and the Roumieh administration are monitoring the condition of hunger strike participants, while courts have already begun preparing materials to apply the amnesty if the Constitutional Council upholds the law.

Al-Atrash placed moral and humanitarian responsibility for challenging the law on Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, and his political camp. He also called on state institutions to ensure implementation of the law.