Thread on @hrw's latest

On Aug 8 @hrw in #Lebanon monitored protests following the #BeirutBlast. The response to the mostly peaceful protests was numerous instances of excessive & at times lethal force. 100s were injured. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/26/lebanon-lethal-force-used-against-protesters

A few things stood out:
Lethal force/live ammo
Shotgun-fired metal pellets
Improper use of kinetic impact projectiles (rubber balls)
Direct-fire of teargas cartridges
Beatings and assaults by security forces

Let's focus on instances of lethal force/live ammo.

1st under intl stnds firearms 2 b used as last resort & 2 the min extent necessary. LE may only intentionally make lethal use of them when strictly unavoidable 2 protect life. Live ammo shld not be used unless reqd 2 protect life/prevent serious injury.

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/UseOfForceAndFirearms.aspx

All security forces deny the use of live ammo.

After speaking to witnesses, analyzing & verifying videos & photos, & visiting the sites, @hrw knows some did.

@hrw investigated several incidents.

One happened just after 6:30 pm near the former Virgin Megastore.

A protester hiding in an alleyway as others throw rocks at sec forces & taunted them, peeks his head around a corner. A bullet flies just over his head, hits the wall behind him.

@hrw visited the site after the incident and found marks consistent w/a metal-jacketed round.

Moments later, security forces in the same alley fire at 3 protesters trying take another protester who's injured to safety. The impacts can be seen on video.

Again, @hrw visited the site and found marks consistent w/recent bullet damage.

An graphic @hrw produced of the alleyway shows the incident in greater detail.

Later in the evening, around 7:25 near Al Amin mosque, rock throwing protesters pushed security forces back.

Soldiers fired at least 8 shots from M4 assault rifles into the ground and over the heads of protesters.
The first shooter is seen in this graphic. Photo @hasanshaaban

The second shooter is seen in this video, which @hrw verified. The officer—the first shooter—immediately reprimands him, sending him away from the frontline. The reprimanded soldier pulls his magazine out as he leaves. https://twitter.com/ChimpTales/status/1292464072521322498

Around the same time, Omar is protesting near Le Grey Hotel where there have been clashes b/t sec forces & protesters. He sees a man in plainclothes w/sec forces firing a handgun. Omar hides.

He emerges, sees the same man & is shot in his right leg.

Those responsible for excessive and lethal use of force should be held to account. @hrw https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/08/26/lebanon-lethal-force-used-against-protesters