Following the suicide of a juvenile at the Warwar Center, the Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) draws attention to the situation of juveniles Behind bars, where there are serious violations of the provisions and principles of Law No. 422/2002 pertaining to the “Protection of Juveniles in Conflict with the Law or at Risk”, in addition to repeated breaches of the safeguards guaranteed under Article 47 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Many juveniles behind bars continue to face prolonged pretrial detention, with some held in facilities not designated for minors or mixed with adults, a clear violation of both the spirit and letter of Law No. 422/2002, which stipulates that detention should be a last resort and for the shortest possible duration, with preference given to alternative measures. These violations directly infringe upon the rights of juveniles and have severe repercussions on their psychological well-being and safety. The Center also raises serious questions regarding the circumstances that led to the suicide of the juvenile at the Warwar Center: What caused him to reach such a critical psychological state? Where were the security officers responsible for monitoring him inside the center? Was he being followed up regularly by psychological and social specialists to provide support, counseling, and help him cope with his distress? Shouldn’t the Warwar Center serve as a place for rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment? Respect for Lebanese law and international standards on the protection of children and juveniles is a legal and moral obligation. Accordingly, the Lebanese Center for Human Rights stresses the urgent need for all concerned authorities to coordinate efforts to alleviate the suffering of juveniles behind bars through: • Full implementation of the principles and provisions of Law No. 422/2002, with a strong emphasis on adopting alternative measures to detention, ensuring that detention remains a last resort and only in exceptional cases, for the shortest period possible. • Enforcement of Article 47 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to guarantee the rights of juveniles during arrest and investigation. • Complete separation between minors and adults in all detention centers and prisons, in line with international standards. • Conducting a transparent and public investigation into the suicide of the juvenile at the Warwar Center to ensure justice and accountability. • Providing psychological and social support for juveniles, with mandatory and regular follow-up by qualified professionals. • Strengthening independent monitoring mechanisms for detention centers through judges, social workers, and independent bodies. • Building the capacity of law enforcement officers on children’s rights and ensuring they adopt child-sensitive, nonviolent approaches. • Establishing transparent mechanisms and data collection systems, including the publication of official statistics on the situation of juveniles and measures taken for their protection. • Enhancing accountability mechanisms to ensure investigation and prosecution of any violations committed against juveniles in detention centers and prisons.
