Lebanese prisoners continue 18-day hunger strike amid worsening conditions.

In recent weeks, Lebanon’s largest prison has become the focal point of a desperate hunger strike involving hundreds of inmates advocating for their rights in the face of an extended suspension of amnesty laws. This protest, driven by deteriorating health conditions among the inmates, highlights significant systemic challenges within Lebanon’s prison system, where overcrowding and prolonged detention are prominent issues impacting both individuals and the community as a whole.

The medical condition of dozens of inmates on a hunger strike for over two weeks inside Lebanon’s largest prison has reportedly reached a critical stage, as confirmed by legal advocates. Around 400 prisoners have participated in the strike since September 12 to protest the suspension of a general amnesty law, which could have enabled immediate release or sentence reductions for many.

Mohammed Sablouh, a Lebanese lawyer and director of the Prisoners’ Rights Center at the Tripoli Bar Association, indicated that ambulances are entering the prison daily to transport inmates suffering from severe health issues. The protesters are refusing medication, food, and water in their bid for justice, underlining the desperation surrounding their situation.

The strike is in response to the suspension of the amnesty law intended to alleviate Lebanon’s notorious prison overcrowding—a situation where the current prison population of approximately 8,500 is nearly double the facility’s capacity. Protests against the law’s suspension have also taken place in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city, emphasizing widespread public concern about the government’s handling of the prison crisis.

Many inmates involved in the hunger strike have been arrested for their support of the Syrian revolution against President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime faced a significant uprising culminating in his ousting in December 2024 after a protracted and brutal conflict.

The Free Patriotic Movement, one of Lebanon’s major political parties, has expressed concerns and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Council, contesting certain charges against some inmates, including allegations of “terrorism.” A ruling from the Constitutional Council on this matter is anticipated next month.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Sablouh noted that Lebanon’s prisons are overcrowded by over 330 percent of intended capacity. He described the current conditions as tragic, warning that any changes to the amnesty law could lead to catastrophic consequences within the already strained system.

The challenges facing Lebanese prisons are compounded by medical neglect, highlighted by the deaths of more than 40 inmates in 2025 from a variety of causes, including suicide and torture. Sablouh attributed these fatalities, as well as the high number of inmates in long-term detention, to systemic judicial delays, particularly regarding pre-trial detention laws that are not being adhered to.

The situation remains urgent and precarious, as the inmates’ plight brings to the forefront broader issues of human rights and the need for reforms within Lebanon’s prison system.

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