Lebanon: Harassment of rights defender must cease

Lebanon: Harassment and intimidation of human rights defender must cease

Amnesty International today called on the Lebanese authorities to stop all acts of harassment and intimidation perpetrated by the General Security against human rights defender, Samira Trad.

On 10 September Samira Trad was detained overnight after being summoned to the General Security for interrogation in relation to her human rights activities. Samira Trad is now at grave risk of being arbitrarily arrested and detained.

Samira Trad, the Director of Frontiers Center which defends marginalized people including non-Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, has as a result of her work with this group been charged under Article 386 of the Penal code of Zamm or "harming the honour and integrity" of the Lebanese authorities.

"The authorities must drop all charges brought against Samira Trad and allow her to continue her human rights work without restrictions," Amnesty International said today.

The General Security continue to harass Samira Trad, even after she has been charged, and have summoned her again and without due legal process to immediately report to the General Security offices. Samira Trad has been advised by her lawyer not to report to the General Security as the procedures are flawed and against the law.

"The continued harassment of Samira Trad -- which involves repeated summoning, prolonged interrogations -- and the charges against her, are meant solely to curtail her right to freedom of expression and association. This is part of an ongoing pattern of attack by the authorities against sections of the vibrant human rights community in Lebanon," Amnesty International concluded.

View all documents on the Lebanon: http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabtZ6aa0KCIbb0hPub/

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