[Note: The copyright for this document belongs to the organization or author listed below]
Use of Military Court against Student Demonstrators a Violation of Rights Amnesty International
AI INDEX: MDE 18/05/00
25 April 2000
Amnesty International said today that the use of the Military Court in
Lebanon to try and sentence students and others involved in
demonstrations and the excessive use of force against demonstrators
raises serious concerns on human rights violations.
On 19 April nine students were brought before the Military Court
charged with assaulting the police or obstructing the highway. The
students denied the charges, but were sentenced to between 10 and 45
days' imprisonment. Three other students are still awaiting trial.
Demonstrations, supported mostly by student members of the Free
Patriotic Movement, a group which supports the exiled army commander
Michel 'Aoun, took place on 17 and 18 April 2000. Students were
initially protesting against the arrest of two 'Aoun supporters, who
were later released without charge, and shouted slogans against the
Syrian presence in Lebanon.
The demonstrations apparently started as peaceful but developed into
violent confrontations with the police. Riot police broke up a
demonstration on 17 April outside the Palace of Justice using water
cannon, tear gas and truncheons. Nine students were arrested during the
demonstration or later.
On 18 April the army used water cannon, truncheons and gun butts to
break up a demonstration outside the Military Court. At least 13
demonstrators and bystanders were injured and some were hospitalised,
two seriously.
Amnesty International has frequently stated its concern that
military courts are used in Lebanon to try cases which should come
before ordinary criminal courts.
After examination of Lebanon's report in 1997, the United Nations
Human Rights Committee expressed concern over "the broad scope of the
jurisdiction of military courts in Lebanon" and stated that all cases
concerning civilians should be transferred to ordinary courts.
Amnesty International calls on the Lebanese Government to halt all
trials of civilians before the Military Court. The government should
release the detained students if they are not to be tried before
civilian courts, in trials conforming to international standards.
For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in
London,
UK, on 44 171 413 5566 or visit our website at Amnesty International
