GS storms HQ of Insaan association and tightens on MWDW

In a statement issued by Insaan, members of general security stormed its offices the day before yesterday and arrested its assistant director Chantal Hourairi. The communiqué noted that this was an arbitrary arrest and late into the night Hourairi was still in detention. The advocacy office of the association, Rola Hamati, explained that Insaan contacted the district attorney who confirmed to her that he did not issue any arrest order but simply asked that that Hourairi be questioned on a number of issues. Hamati noted for her part that this arrest seemingly came as a trade off with J. Shoumar and R. Arangani.  She clarified that both Shoumar and Arangani have been detained by general security since April 8th though no charges were brought against them but with the intention of deporting them along with their daughter.  While this was taking place, the Judge of urgent matter court issued a decision prohibiting the deportation of Rinoca and postponing it for three weeks and so as to conduct an in-depth investigation.  Juvenile judge had also issued a judgment ordering Suzan to be placed under the care of Insaan and prohibiting her transfer to any party except via a court order.  Several associations had spoken up in September 2014 against the GM decision to freeze the renewal of work permits in categories 3 and 4 namely low income domestic, agricultural and industrial workers, who have had children in Lebanon as well as freeze the renewal of residencies for their children thus leading to their deportation.  On a similar note, the Consul of Liberia in Lebanon, Anwar Ezzedine, met with a number of officials to discuss the case of the detailed Liberian women workers in Lebanon. Ezzedine noted that the official were sympathetic to workers who were detained and indicated that they will speed up those procedures which guarantee their legal rights and will ensure their early release.  As a result, tens of women detainees were released and it is expected that the files of the remaining four cases will be subsequently studied. (As Safir, Al Akhbar, 21 & 22 April 2015)