An investigation by Lebanon’s National Human Rights Commission has found that minors detained at the Rehabilitation Center in Warwar, Beirut, are being denied adequate food, medical care, hygiene supplies, and sanitary conditions. The findings were released in a report published on Monday following a comprehensive inspection of the facility.
The commission, including its Committee for the Prevention of Torture, conducted interviews with social workers, center staff, and some of the 148 boys held at the center, in addition to a physical inspection of the premises. The investigation revealed multiple violations of Lebanese law and international standards with respect to the treatment of juvenile detainees.
Among the report’s key findings was the inadequate quantity and quality of food provided. A ward holding 10 boys was reported to have received less food than what would sustain even two individuals. Furthermore, meals that included meat were often served undercooked, raising concerns about food safety. Staff informed the commission that the center’s kitchen, originally intended to provide adequate nutrition and hospitality training, had been shut down due to funding and staffing shortages.
Sanitary conditions were described as poor, with several bathrooms lacking running water due to non-functioning faucets, preventing detainees from maintaining personal hygiene. Waste removal was reported to occur only once a week, resulting in noticeable waste accumulation and strong odors throughout the facility. The bedding provided to minors was often worn and torn, and many juveniles suffered from scabies, fungal infections, and other skin conditions, which the report linked to the unsanitary environment.
The provision of medical care was also found to be lacking. The center does not have a resident physician, and medical examinations are conducted by a doctor affiliated with the Internal Security Forces at an external medical facility. However, transportation of detainees to this facility is hampered by the absence of a dedicated vehicle, potentially delaying urgent care. Some juveniles told investigators that prescribed medications were not provided consistently, and there were cases where surgical interventions, such as the removal of stitches or implants from prior injuries, were necessary but not administered. Signs of infection in untreated wounds were noted.
The commission also documented incidents of self-harm, suicide attempts, and escape attempts, some resulting in physical harm. While no physical assaults were witnessed during the visit, several minors alleged that some security personnel had subjected them to abuse. The report called for an independent investigation to verify these claims and hold responsible parties accountable.
Additional concerns were raised about the use of isolation rooms on the center’s top floor, which served both disciplinary and quarantine purposes. Juveniles reported being placed there as punishment following incidents such as fights, with some alleging they were physically beaten prior to confinement. The rooms were found to be poorly maintained, and supervision was limited since no security officer was permanently stationed on that floor.
These findings come shortly after Lebanon enacted a General Amnesty Law aimed at reducing severe overcrowding in its prisons by commuting sentences for many inmates. Despite the law’s potential to alleviate pressure on the penitentiary system, it remains unclear whether it extends protections or relief to juveniles held in rehabilitation centers. Lebanon’s detention facilities remain significantly overcrowded, with over 8,500 prisoners in spaces designed for fewer than 5,000. According to the Interior Ministry, about 80% of detainees across the country are awaiting trial.
The report also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding Lebanon’s juvenile justice system, noting that, while the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends a minimum age of criminal responsibility of 14, children as young as seven years old can be detained in juvenile rehabilitation facilities.