Human Rights Coalition Praise Ruling in Lebanon, Urge For More Progress
Human rights organizations around the world have praised Lebanon’s recent ruling in the case of Muhammad Mugraby, a prominent human rights lawyer. Mugraby was on trial for slander following his 2003 speech in which he openly and harshly criticized the Lebanese government’s policies, focusing particularly on the violent suppression of political dissent and the use of torture in interrogations. Last week, a criminal court in Beirut ruled that Mugraby was protected by constitutional rights of freedom of speech, prompting organizations such as Human Rights Watch to praise the decision as an affirmation of progress. Mugraby still faces eight additional charges, however, which a coalition of 11 human rights organizations have pressed the Lebanese government to lift. In a joint statement these organizations emphasized that “the cases against Mugraby may be multiple and complicated, but they are all motivated by a desire to punish him for publicly criticizing the country’s judicial and legal institutions…The Lebanese government should put an end to this campaign of harassment.”
Stefanie Demetriades
