wfn.org | MECC TRAINING ON MONITORING HUMAN RIGHTS IN DETENTION CENTERS

[mecc <mecc@cyberia.net.lb>]

MECC Diakonia and Social Justice Unit organized a training workshop on
³Torture Prevention in Detention Centers², which was held in Beirut from 14
-16 October, 2008. The workshop focused on the Implementation of Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel (OPCAT) in
Lebanon and the establishment of National Preventive Mechanisms. ³The
Prevention of Torture in Detention Centers² training workshop was run in
collaboration with the National Bar Association for Human Rights Institute,
together with experts from Association for the Prevention of Torture - APT,
Geneva and concerned actors in Lebanon.  The workshop was designed to
provide NGOs, CSO and concerned organizations with the knowledge, skills an d
processes to effectively monitor detention centers and investigate
allegations of torture. The program included an overview of the
international human rights standards relating to the prevention of torture,
as well as practical training in preparing for and undertaking visits to
detention centers and interviewing detainees. In addition, the program
helped participants assess their capacity to fulfill the role of a National
Preventive Mechanism and the extent to which they are able to comply with
the standards set out in the OPCA, in Human or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment. The opening addresses were delivered by MECC General Secretary
Mr. Guirgis Saleh, Diakonia and Social Justice Director Ms. Seta Hadeshian,
and several other representatives of human rights associations, internal
security, general security and OHCHR. Experts from the European Commission
on Prevention of Torture and Association for the Prevention of Torture were
invited. Several eminent and expert speakers from Lebanon were invited to
the Workshop who presented papers and talks about the issue of discussion.
For more information contact: meccls@cyberia.net.lb

>Middle East Council of Churches
>Office of International Ecumenical Relations
>P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon

Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary

mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

>+961-1-353-938
>http://www.mec-churches.org/