The Internal Security Forces General Directorate held, in cooperation with the European Union, a conference on the "Achievements of the Internal Security Forces in the Field of Human Rights," in the presence of ISF Director General, Imad Othman, and Ambassador of the European Union Christina Lassen, Ambassador of Spain, Jose Maria Ferre, and representatives of various ministries, as well as diplomats, representatives of civil society organizations, and ranking dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Lassen said "The European Union has chosen to support the program which organized the conference under its umbrella to contribute to a peaceful and secure society that not only trusts its security forces, but also gives it its full confidence."

"The EU-funded program provides technical assistance to the ISF and supports the Lebanese police in providing more effective and accountable police services. (...) A training curriculum has been developed that focuses on the basic concepts of international law and the main principles of the legal framework for human rights and international humanitarian law," she said.

"I was pleased to learn that this has been introduced into the training curriculum of the ISF for the bid of training the new elements on human rights," she concluded, uttering appreciation to all the efforts exerted in this context.

Addressing officers and Internal Security Forces elements, Othman said that "adhering to the principle of human rights and respect for the dignity of persons in their custody is not an issue of discretion that is subject to considerations of time and place. It is a mandatory matter with a constitutional and legal framework and which is closely related to ethical and professional values."

"Therefore, fight crime and maintain security and order while respecting public freedoms and the fundamental rights of individuals and groups within the framework of the law," he said, thanking all those who have contributed to the success of this conference, and to all the partners and donors.

He pointed out that "those eligible to use weapons [yesterday] did not use their right to fire. When we go on a mission to arrest people, that mission begins with a judicial notice, and end with a judicial notice. We are well aware of our rights, and ask you to know your rights. (...) We abide by the law to the fullest."

Othman finally stressed that "the Internal Security Forces is working all across the Lebanese territory to fight crime, and the Lebanese people have felt this progress."