To: Public Administrations, Public Institutions, and Municipalities

Subject: Coordination with the National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

Pursuant to Law No. 62 dated 27/10/2016, the National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, was established.

The Commission works to protect and promote human rights in Lebanon in accordance with the standards set forth in the Lebanese Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international conventions and treaties relating to human rights, and Lebanese laws consistent with these standards.

• Monitoring Lebanon’s compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law and preparing and publishing special or periodic reports.
• Contributing independently to reports that the Lebanese State is required to submit.
• Providing opinions on matters referred to it by competent authorities or initiated by the Commission itself regarding compliance with human rights standards.
• Expressing opinions on legislation, decrees, decisions, draft laws, and public policies relating to human rights.
• Receiving complaints and reports concerning human rights violations and contributing to their resolution through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
• Promoting a culture of human rights and encouraging the implementation of human rights education programs.

Pursuant to paragraph (c) of the aforementioned article, the Committee for the Prevention of Torture operates within the Commission to protect the rights of detainees and persons deprived of their liberty, in accordance with the provisions of the Law and Lebanon’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Given the importance of cooperation and coordination with the National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, in order to enable it to carry out the duties entrusted to it,

All public administrations, public institutions, and municipalities are requested to cooperate and coordinate with the National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, to facilitate the development of action plans aimed at ensuring the protection of human rights and the prevention of torture.