Coalition for the Independence of the Judiciary Urges Reform on Pretrial Detention Limitations

In response to the overcrowding crisis in Lebanese detention centers, exacerbated by recent conflicts, two draft laws have been submitted to the Lebanese Parliament aimed at amending Article 108 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which governs pretrial detention limits.MP Ihab Matar’s proposal seeks to reduce the maximum pretrial detention period, while MP Bilal Abdullah’s proposal maintains current limits but removes exceptions for certain detainees.

Both proposals highlight the urgent need to address prison overcrowding, improve judicial processes, and uphold the presumption of innocence. As of mid-2024, pretrial detainees accounted for 65% of the inmate population, emphasizing the critical nature of these reforms.