Location: Lebanon (15 prisons across the country)

Situation:

Lebanon experienced a major political crisis, exacerbated by the assassination of the former Prime Minister R. Hariri, and a deep socio-economic crisis aggravated by the war of July 2006. Despite the end of hostilities and the deployment of UNIFIL forces alongside the Lebanese army, Israeli air incursions tend to produce tensions. In addition, Lebanon is a crossroads for thousands of migrants who face severe discrimination. The country is not party to the 1951 Geneva Convention and refuses to be a reception country.

Activities:

Doctors of the World  (DoW) continues its activities in Roumeih central prison, in partnership with the Lebanese NGO Ajem, and has been working since mid-2006 in other prisons across Lebanon.
In Roumieh prison: medical, social and legal follow-up for newly detained foreigners;
In Roumieh prison and other prisons:
• Refurbishing and providing sanitation equipment and hygiene products;
• Information, Education and Communication (IEC) sessions;
• Training in health and rights for healthcare staff, detainees, prison guards and voluntary organisations;
• Lobbying the prison authorities, health authorities and politicians;
• Creation of a network of NGOs working in prisons and/or with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

Outlook:

Continuing the programme in 2007: developing activities focused on training and health education in other Lebanese prisons as well as advocacy activities.

Project start date: January 2005

End date: Ended 31st December 2008