The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) warns of the alarming rise in violations committed against children deprived of their liberty. The news platform “Tafasil” recently published video footage showing children handcuffed during interrogations in what has been referred to as the “TikTok Case,” which violates the provisions of Lebanese law in general, Law No. 422/2002 in particular, as well as relevant international standards.
The footage revealed the full faces of the children, who were subjected to interrogation under severe psychological pressure and without the presence of a social worker or lawyer. This constitutes a violation of the legal safeguards guaranteed to children under international human rights standards, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the provisions of Law No. 422/2002.
Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is binding on Lebanon, states that every child deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity, in a manner that takes into account the needs of their age. This principle is also enshrined in Law No. 422/2002 on the Protection of Juveniles in Conflict with the Law or at Risk, and its amendments, which prohibit the use of chains, handcuffs, or any other restraining instruments except in cases of absolute necessity, for the shortest possible duration, and under exceptional circumstances.
In light of this, what were the so-called “exceptional circumstances” that justified handcuffing minors inside a closed detention facility already secured and staffed by law enforcement officers?
Moreover, the publication of a video showing children deprived of their liberty in such a manner constitutes a clear violation of the law, both nationally and internationally. At the national level, Article 48 of Law No. 422/2002 (Law on the Protection of Juveniles in Conflict with the Law or at Risk) expressly prohibits the publication of a juvenile’s picture, the details of investigations or trials, or any summaries thereof in books, newspapers, films, or through any other media outlets. At the international level, Article 16 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Lebanon on 14 May 1991, guarantees the protection of children from arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy, family, home, or correspondence, and from unlawful attacks on their honor and reputation.
Based on the principle of the best interests of the child, which must be a primary consideration in all actions and decisions concerning children, and which prevails over any other consideration, as stated in Article 3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, relevant international standards, and Law No. 422/2002—it would have been more appropriate for this video to be submitted to the competent judicial authorities for investigation into the violations it depicts and for holding those responsible accountable, rather than turning it into widely circulated media content that exposes children to further harm and violation.
The video also included a statement by the President of the Union for the Protection of Juveniles in Lebanon, Ms. Amira Sukkar. Given the pivotal role of the Union in monitoring the implementation of the law and ensuring child protection, the Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) calls on the Union to inform the public of the legal steps taken to address the violations shown in the video. Public statements are important to clarify positions; however, they must be followed by concrete measures, particularly by filing a complaint before the Public Prosecution Office regarding the interrogation methods used with minors and the publication of footage of them inside a detention facility; acts that constitute a clear violation of children’s rights, human dignity, and the principles of justice and the legal framework guaranteeing their protection. These incidents reveal a serious flaw in the mechanisms used to deal with children deprived of their liberty, requiring an urgent review of current procedures and immediate corrective action to prevent the recurrence of such grave violations.
Therefore, the Lebanese Center for Human Rights recommends the following:
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Opening an immediate and independent investigation under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office to identify those responsible for the violations committed against the children shown in the video and holding them accountable in accordance with Lebanese law.
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Prohibiting the circulation or publication of any visual materials depicting children deprived of their liberty, under penalty of legal prosecution, in accordance with Article 48 of Law No. 422/2002, and directing the competent authorities to ensure the removal of the video from social media platforms in order to protect the best interests of the child.
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Reinforcing the role of the Ministry of Justice and the Union for the Protection of Juveniles to ensure full compliance with legal procedures during investigations involving children, and implementing the safeguards stipulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Law No. 422/2002.
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Organizing continuous training programs for law enforcement officers, judges, and social workers on child-friendly justice principles and interrogation mechanisms that respect the human dignity of children.
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Ensuring the presence of a social worker during any interrogation with a child, who will document all procedures in accordance with the best interest of the child.
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Urging media outlets to respect children’s privacy and to refrain from turning their cases into promotional or sensational content, in order to preserve their dignity and legal rights. Media institutions should adopt clear editorial policies that prohibit the exploitation of cases involving minors for publicity or profit purposes, include these principles in professional codes of conduct, and provide journalists with training on their practical implementation.
