Prisoners in crisis-hit Lebanon are not only deprived of their freedom - due to the constant postponement of trials as a result of judicial strikes – but also face a shortage of medical supplies, lack of hygiene, and an increasing risk of starvation.
In fact, the prisons’ food crisis is directly linked to the accelerating collapse within the Lebanese state. The latter has become unable to settle the dues of suppliers and contractors, who provide the security forces with foodstuffs to cater for prisons.
Concern is mounting as the suppliers have recently announced that they would stop delivering food commodities, starting from the first of April.
A well-informed security source admitted that this development was “worrying, mainly that the contracts concluded with the suppliers expire on April 4.”
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source noted that meetings were being held between the concerned security bodies and the Ministry of Finance, to address the problem and try to secure the necessary funds to settle part of the dues.
“Some contributions by associations and non-governmenl organizations may alleviate the crisis temporarily, but no one can replace the state,” the security source stated.
Source: Asarq Al-Awsat