National Human Rights Commission including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture
NHRC-CPT
Summary
The NHRC-CPT was established by Law No. 62/2016 as Lebanon's National Human Rights Institution and OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism. Its Committee for the Prevention of Torture may conduct unannounced visits to all detention facilities — ISF prisons, police stations, General Security, State Security, military detention, and other places of deprivation of liberty — interview detainees in private, and request information from authorities. It makes recommendations but cannot impose discipline on officers. Ten NHRC members and five CPT members are appointed by Council of Ministers decree from civil-society nominations; terms are six years, non-renewable. Structural independence is undermined by the government's failure since 2018 to enact five essential enabling decrees, leaving the body partially non-operational and severely under-resourced.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 6 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Law No. 62/2016 on the Establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture
- Citation
- Law No. 62/2016 (19 October 2016)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
All law-enforcement and corrections detention facilities in Lebanon, including ISF-run prisons and police stations, General Security, State Security, Customs, military detention, juvenile centers, and any place where persons are deprived of liberty; receives and investigates human rights complaints.