Breaking the Silence: Torture Against Human Rights Defenders

The recording of this session will be uploaded to Youtube - please click on the button on this page or visit the official OMCT Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@omct9148
The discussion will explore root causes, lasting impacts, and concrete pathways to justice and accountability. This event brings together civil society organizations, activists, and HRDs to share knowledge, amplify voices, and strategize around better protection mechanisms for those defending rights in repressive environments.
CLDH will lead the session, with support from partner organizations such as the Working Group for Torture prevention (WGTP), to ensure broad regional participation.
Objectives:
- Examine how legal systems and political culture enable torture
- Share first hand testimonies from HRDs
- Explore mechanisms for accountability and prevention
- Foster cross-regional solidarity and solutions
Structure:
- Opening Remarks by Wadih Al-Asmar, President of CLDH
- Torture and Legal Culture in Lebanon: discussing how cultural factors and justice system in Lebanon contribute to human rights violations - Atty Hasna Abdel Rida, Head of Legal of CLDH
- Challenges Faced by HRDs in Lebanon and Beyond: testimonies and shared experiences from activists - Ebtisam Al Saegh and Abou Kenaan
- Accountability and Prevention: Strategies to pursue justice, end impunity, and protect defenders - Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of GC4HR
- Interactive Q&A and Open Discussion
Moderator: Rouba El Helou, Secretary General of CLDH
Languages spoken: English and Arabic
Interpretation available in: EN / AR
Speakers
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Wadlih Al-Asmar
President Centre Libanais des Droits Humains (CLDH) -
Hasna Abdel Rida
Head of Legal Centre Libanais des Droits Humains (CLDH) -
Abou Kenaan
Human Rights Defender -
Ebtisam Al Saegh
Human Rights Defender -
Khalid Ibrahim
Executive Director GC4HR -
Rouba El Helou
Secretary General Centre Libanais des Droits Humains (CLDH)
Event Details
Date
Time 9.30am — 11am CEST
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Wadlih Al-Asmar
-
Hasna Abdel Rida
-
Abou Kenaan
-
Ebtisam Al Saegh
-
Khalid Ibrahim
-
Rouba El Helou
Type Open