Restart Center

EU Legislative Interests

EU Pact on Migration and Asylum Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD)

Communication Activities

1. Human Rights Advocacy and Reporting Restart influences EU institutions through advocacy and detailed reporting, especially by: • Submitting shadow reports to international bodies such as the UN Committee Against Torture, which are also referenced by EU human rights mechanisms. • Documenting violations in Lebanese prisons, detention centers, and refugee settings (including among Syrian refugees), which feeds into the EU's annual human rights dialogues with Lebanon. • Collaborating with the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) or the European External Action Service (EEAS) to raise awareness on torture, arbitrary detention, and systemic abuses. 2. Policy and Legal Reform Influence Restart works to influence EU positions on legislative and political developments by: • Highlighting the impact of Lebanese laws (e.g., on detention, military tribunals, or refugee protection) on vulnerable populations. • Advocating for alignment with international human rights standards, thereby encouraging the EU to press for legislative reform in Lebanon—especially in justice reform and detention monitoring. • Participating in EU-funded initiatives that aim to strengthen rule of law, which helps the EU set priorities in bilateral engagement. Example: Restart might push for the EU to take a stronger stance on: • Ending the trial of civilians in military courts in Lebanon. • Increasing independent oversight of detention centers. • Ensuring access to fair asylum procedures for refugees. 3. Partnership with EU-funded Projects Restart often works with or receives funding through EU instruments, such as: • European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) • EU Delegation to Lebanon These partnerships: • Provide Restart a platform to engage directly with EU actors. • Allow Restart to shape programmatic priorities (e.g., prison reform, mental health support for torture victims). • Create opportunities to input on policy briefings and progress evaluations, influencing how the EU views and responds to Lebanon’s governance and human rights record. 4. Regional Stability and Migration Nexus Restart’s work on Syrian refugees, migration-related detention, and access to justice has geopolitical implications. The EU, concerned with: • Regional stability and migration management, and • Preventing torture and ill-treatment in border zones

Interests Represented

Does not represent commercial interests

Member Of

Restart Center is an affiliated member center to the international rehabilitation council for torture victims since 2003.