Lebanese prisoners end hunger strike after settlement on amnesty bill

More than 600 prisoners in Lebanon ended a 30-day hunger strike on Monday after a settlement was reached over a general amnesty bill.

The bill was passed by parliament in August but later suspended after an appeal raised concerns about which prisoners could be released.

Lebanon’s Constitutional Council rejected the appeal but required changes to some parts of the bill and the removal of others.

Prisoners had been striking to protest the suspension, which they said had put a possible reduction in their sentences in doubt.

The law is intended to reduce severe prison overcrowding, especially at Roumieh, Lebanon’s largest prison, which holds more than 4,000 people in space designed for about 1,000.

The families committee said at least seven hunger strikers died from medical neglect or existing illnesses, and around 72 were in critical condition and hospitalised.

The settlement followed growing concern over prisoners’ health, while the amnesty bill remains controversial because critics fear it could pardon serious crimes.