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Freedom under
attack in Lebanon |
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September 23, 2000 The Lebanese Authorities arrested several members of the Lebanese Forces (LF) (disbanded since March 1994) after a Mass turned into a demonstration in Mayfouk, a Lebanese northern village located in the mountains. Fadi Al-Shamati and Selman Semaha are being held at the Ministry of Defense jail and are subjected to interrogation. Fadi al Shamati was first taken to Intelligence Center in Jubeil, under the command of Badih Abu Shahla and then later moved to the Ministry of Defense. Selman Semaha received a call on Monday morning to appear in the Ministry for interrogation. Seven other members from Becharri village (a staunch supporter of the LF) are also detained in the Intelligence Center in Koubbi, Tripoli, North of Lebanon. No warrants were issued or formal charges. Background:
On Sunday September 17, 2000, thousands of Lebanese Forces (LF) members gathered to commemorate the death of LF fighters who died during the civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990). The mass turned into a political rally, the biggest since the LF was disbanded in 1994 and the second by LF supporters in four days. The protesters demanded the release of jailed former leader Samir Geagea. AFP news agency reported: "Geagea is innocent, free him!" and "Syrians out", the Maifouq protestors shouted, brandishing the Lebanese Forces' flag, banned since Geagea's arrest in February 1994 on political murder charges. The Lebanese army had set up six roadblocks on the 20 kilometre (12 mile) road to Maifouq from the coast and checked the identity of all those entering the town, confiscating any flags and portraits of Geagea they found. But many escaped the controls as the demonstrators left their cars outside the town and made their way on foot to the monastery where they mass was held. (End of AFP report) The Mass, which was scheduled for 11.30am, was delayed for three hours as most of the participants were stuck at Lebanese Army checkpoints along the roads leading to the village. Despite the security measures, demonstrators carried LF flags and posters of Geagea and late President-elect Bashir Gemayel, which were brought to the protest area earlier on. The security measures were described as “disguised oppression” by Father Antoine Saifi, who read the sermon on behalf of Father Neemtallah Younes, the head of the Mayfouq Monastery where the protest was held. “Why are pressure and humiliation exercised on people in one region,” he asked, “while other regions are left with no guards or observers?” The security
measures turned the 30-minute drive from the coast to Mayfouq into
a six-hour journey, forcing many people to leave their cars on the
road and walk. Eyewitnesses
also reported the beating of Ibrahim Bedran by the Security Forces
at one of the roadblocks. Bedran
was holding a picture of Geagea and refused to surrender it.
Bedran suffered bruises but continued his way towards where the
Mass was held. Some other Mass attendees were held down on the
ground while Security Forces members stepped on their heads with
their military boots, which prompted Father Seifi to interfere on
their behalf, eyewitnesses reported. Members of the Lebanese Forces wearing shirts featuring pictures of Geagea and special crosses known to the LF, had their shirts torn and crosses confiscated. The Security
Forces also stopped families of the martyrs who held the pictures
of their loved ones and reefs for their graves.
Some of the reefs were taken and thrown away. The campaign
of arrests did not end. We
keep getting more reports indicating that many other LF members
are arrested, some for few hours and then released.
They are asked about their meeting places and whether they
are planning other activities. Your urgent
intervention is needed in Lebanon to safeguard the lives of those
who demand what is rightful to them.
Freedoms are under attack and those who dare voice their
opinions suffer the consequences.
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