Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1977)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee takes due note of the promulgation of Act No. 164 of 24 August 2011 adding a chapter into the Penal Code on trafficking in persons. By virtue of section 586.2(2) of the Penal Code, as amended, the crime of trafficking is punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of seven years and payment of a fine, if the actions of trafficking were carried out by using deception, violence, harsh acts or threats. The Committee also notes that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in its concluding observations of 8 April 2008 expressed concern that the trafficking of women and girls is growing in Lebanon and at the lack of systematic data collection on this phenomenon (CEDAW/C/LBN/CO/3, paragraph 28). The Committee requests the Government to provide, in its next report, information concerning the application of Act No. 164 of 2011 in practice, particularly the number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and the penalties applied.

Article 2(2)(c). Work of prisoners for private individuals, companies or associations. In its earlier comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide more detailed information on prisoners’ work outside prisons. The Committee also requested the Government to provide information on the conditions under which prisoners work for private individuals, companies or associations when placed in the system of probationary release (section 87 of the Penal Code).

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that according to section 59 of Decree No. 14310/K of 11 February 1949 pertaining to prison regulations, persons sentenced to detention or to imprisonment may be required to work outside the prison only for activities of public utility and with their consent.

Noting this information, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the work performed by the prisoners for activities of public utility may be for the benefit of private individuals, companies or associations. With reference to section 87 of the Penal Code, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the conditions under which prisoners work for private individuals, companies or associations when placed in the system of probationary release.