The Lebanese State Shura Council ordered the government to compensate actor Ziad Itani for torture and ill-treatment by authorities, marking a potential turning point in combating impunity for torture in Lebanon. Amnesty International called this ruling a breakthrough for justice, urging the state to act on accountability and protect detainees.
The Lebanese State Shura Council’s recent ruling mandates the government to pay actor Ziad Itani 480 million Lebanese Liras (approximately 5,360 USD) in reparations due to the authorities’ failure to address his allegations of torture. Kristine Beckerle of Amnesty International emphasized that this decision represents a significant advancement in the pursuit of justice, potentially ending the prevailing culture of impunity for torture in Lebanon.
Ziad Itani’s ordeal involved severe injustices including wrongful detention, solitary confinement, torture, and lack of legal representation. The Shura Council’s decision acknowledges the authorities’ negligence in preventing torture, marking a critical step towards enforcing the anti-torture law enacted in 2017, which has largely been ignored for seven years.
Amnesty International highlighted the recent inadequacies of Lebanon’s military court, which failed to address the custodial death of Syrian refugee Bashar Abd Saud. Nonetheless, the Shura Council’s ruling symbolizes hope for torture survivors, urging Lebanese authorities to hold perpetrators accountable and protect detainees from ill-treatment.
The backdrop of the ruling dates back to August 2020, when Itani’s legal representation formally appealed to the State Shura Council. The Council’s decree, made public in March 2025, identified state failures in preventing torture and ensuring justice for victims. The circumstances surrounding Itani’s arrest in 2017 on false espionage charges and the subsequent lack of investigation into his torture further underline systemic failures within Lebanese legal frameworks.
Although Lebanon ratified an anti-torture law in 2017, which encompasses provisions such as the inadmissibility of torture-extracted statements and the mandate for timely investigations, there remain deficiencies in its application – particularly concerning the authority of the Military Court over torture allegations. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have consistently documented unresolved torture complaints under this law since its inception, calling for urgent reforms to ensure its effectiveness and accountability.
The recent ruling by the State Shura Council regarding Ziad Itani marks a pivotal moment in Lebanon’s legal landscape concerning torture and accountability. It is imperative that this decision instigates meaningful actions from the government to uphold human rights, ensuring protection against torture and justice for victims. The path forward necessitates the earnest implementation of the anti-torture law, reinforcing the state’s commitment to preventing future abuses and addressing historical injustices.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
