Lebanese MP George Okeis, a member of the "Strong Republic" parliamentary bloc, published - via his Twitter account - pictures showing cases of scabies and skin diseases that are rampant among prisoners in Roumieh prison in eastern Lebanon (the largest of the Lebanese prisons).
The photos met with wide interaction among activists who condemned the absence and neglect of the state, calling on human rights organizations to act quickly.
Okais - who was a judge before his election as a deputy - attached the photos with a comment that wrote, "Roumieh prison is a blatant example of the state's failure and dissolution. Cases of scabies and skin diseases are frighteningly rampant among prisoners, as a result of the polluted water used in prison. There is no meaning for the feast if we do not think about these. These pictures are drawn by the relevant ministers and the competent authorities, and I wish the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee to act.”
After the tweet, calls from human rights activists spread to look into the conditions of inmates who endure harsh conditions at all levels.
Roumieh prison is a stark example of the state's failure and dissolution.
Cases of scabies and skin diseases are alarmingly rampant among prisoners as a result of the polluted water used in the prison.
There is no meaning to the feast if we do not think of these.
I put these pictures in the drawings of the concerned ministers and the competent authorities, and I wish the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee to act.
pic.twitter.com/VtK13vBtdC
— George Okais (@OkaisGeorge) December 24, 2021
Human rights activist Nawal Mudallali wrote, "Hoody (these), in the opinion of the state, are not (they are) not human beings. Neglect increases crime. A crime against humanity and a violation of human rights."
Hoody in the opinion of the state is not human!
Negligence increases crime.
A crime against humanity and a violation of human rights.
@OHCHR_MENA @UN https://t.co/YRYk4neTXY
— Nawal Mdallaly (@NawalMdallaly) December 24, 2021
Jurist Bassam Al-Kuntar commented, "In my turn, I invite the Committee for the Prevention of Torture to visit the prison and prepare a detailed report on the various health aspects of the inmates. Similar cases were previously observed during the committee's first visit several months ago."
In the same context, the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar (local) published a report in which it revealed the poor humanitarian and life conditions inside Roumieh prison, especially with the deteriorating economic and financial conditions in the country.
Human rights lost!
Where are the state agencies in what is happening??
https://t.co/BZtZm8Tbo8
— 𝐉 ?
The local newspaper quoted one of the prisoners as saying that "the administration has now allocated two meals for the prisoner at a rate of 100 grams per meal, after it had allocated 3 meals at a rate of 200 grams per meal, in addition to the deterioration of their quality."
And she added in her report that "the medical care in the prison has become non-existent, as all medicine has become at the expense of the prisoner, in addition to securing 20% of the cost of operations and x-rays."
In turn, I invite the Committee for the Prevention of Torture to visit the prison and prepare a detailed report on the
various health aspects of the inmates
. Similar cases were previously observed during the Committee's first visit several months ago #Lebanon #Roumieh_Prison https://t.co/tMwJEmyWio
— Bassam Alkantar (@balkantar) December 24, 2021
And through his account on Facebook, the director of the Prisoner’s Rights Center at the Tripoli Bar Association, Lawyer Muhammad Sablouh, posted, “The cries of prisoners are increasing daily, as a result of the state’s disregard for them and its inability to secure their most basic rights.. But the tragedy is that officials are indifferent (or) to develop solutions or even conduct a visit for them".
The capacity of Roumieh prison - which currently houses about 3,200 prisoners - is only 1,500 prisoners, and its administration prevents prisoners' families and visitors from entering food or any other goods from outside the prison kiosk, on the grounds that it may contain prohibited items such as drugs.