Dr. Rachid Rahme, a veteran of Lebanese Forces, heads the Human Rights Department in the Political Council of the Lebanese Forces Organization. He has been involved with the Christian Resistance and its political affairs and struggle since the beginning of the Lebanese War. When he moved to London over a decade ago, he was appointed L.F. representative to the U.K. where he worked tirelessly on the political and diplomatic scene in order to publicize the plight of the endangered Christians in Lebanon.

After the war, especially since 1994, his efforts have focused on the numerous HR abuses and violations committed by the Lebanese Authorities against Dr. Samir Geagea and the L.F. party. His reports on these matters stirred many foreign governments and brought to their attention the vicious HR violations being committed by the Lebanese Authorities against the Christian opposition, in particular the Lebanese Forces.

Dr. Rahme's action in highlighting HR violations in Lebanon has made him a target of the Lebanese regime and any hope of his return to Lebanon in the immediate future seems very grim indeed. He therefore, has become an additional victim of this persecution of Lebanese Christians by the Lebanese regime.

Dr. Rahme will focus in his presentation the rights of the community or group and the denial of such rights by the Lebanese Authorities. In addition he will outline the current political situation whereby political life in Lebanon is virtually paralyzed and limited to those who are favored by the regime.