The Capitol Institute vehemently denounces the Lebanese military court and affiliated security agencies for their systematic violation of civil liberties, which undermines Lebanon’s constitutional principles and its legacy as a beacon of intellectual freedom in the Middle East. We stand in resolute solidarity with Lebanese citizens, including diaspora members, whose rights to free expression, personal dignity, and due process are being violated through arbitrary detentions, unlawful seizures of passports and communication devices, and unfounded investigations driven by political motives.
At Rafic Hariri International Airport and other entry points, citizens face detentions without legal basis, with travel documents and devices confiscated under discredited “communication documents” and “subjugation lists.” These actions defy Cabinet Decision Number 10 of July 24, 2014, Circular Number 62/S/2014 of August 6, 2014, and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers’ letter numbered 48/M.S. of January 9, 2025, which mandate their annulment. Security agencies, acting under directives from the Government Commissioner to the Military Court, perpetuate these abuses, targeting youth, activists, and expatriates with fabricated charges, including alleged violations of boycott laws or collaboration, in violation of the Lebanese Code of Criminal Procedure and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
These measures strand citizens, sever familial and economic ties, and alienate the diaspora, a vital pillar of Lebanon’s resilience. The Capitol Institute demands that President Joseph Aoun, Minister of Justice Adel Nassar, and the Lebanese government act swiftly to:
-Restore all confiscated passports and devices.
-Terminate unwarranted investigations and summonses.
-Eradicate all communication documents and subjugation lists, per governmental directives.
-Ensure the Directorate General of General Security operates within legal bounds, free from political interference.
We urge the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation to investigate these violations and enforce accountability. We call upon the international community to support Lebanon in dismantling oppressive practices and fostering a society of justice and inclusion, where the diaspora can contribute to national renewal without fear.
The Capitol Institute pledges to advocate for the persecuted, amplify their voices, and uphold Lebanon’s democratic ideals. We summon all defenders of liberty to join us in restoring Lebanon as a land of hope and opportunity.
Signed
Capitol Institute
Monday April, 28th 2025.
