The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon's prisons is worsening following the fourth inmate death within a month. This comes as protests escalate, with a comprehensive strike entering its third day at the Roumieh Central Prison, opposing the suspension of the General Amnesty Law.
The 'Committee of Families of Prisoners' announced the death of Lebanese inmate Naama El Haj, from Ain Saadeh, inside Halba Prison in northern Lebanon, due to a severe deterioration in his health condition. The committee detailed that the deceased had developed kidney failure during his detention, leaving him disabled amid significant difficulties in obtaining necessary treatment and medication, exacerbated by declining healthcare and living conditions for chronically ill prisoners.
According to inmates at Halba Prison, El Haj was hopeful of being covered by the General Amnesty Law to receive medical care outside or to spend his last days with family. However, the law's execution was halted following an appeal by MP Gebran Bassil.
In this context, lawyer and human rights advocate Mohamed Sablouh noted on his Facebook page that the inmate died after illness struggles, while prisons await the conclusion of the 'Bassil' appeal deadline, amid ongoing health sufferings of inmates.
Field developments at Roumieh Prison saw Building B inmates continuing their comprehensive hunger strike into the third day. According to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, security sources reported all 420 inmates of the building—including 156 Islamist prisoners—joined the strike since Sunday night, protesting the Constitutional Council's decision to halt the execution of the General Amnesty Law endorsed by President Joseph Aoun.