Self-immolation spreads in Middle East
Self-immolation is becoming tragically more common in the Middle East, including Lebanon, where Syrian refugees are not the only ones setting themselves on fire in acts of desperation and despair.
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Twenty-five-year-old Mohammed Heriz lay in his hospital bed in Beirut, breathing heavily, covered head to waist in bandages. His eyes struggled to stay open after a dose of morphine for the pain of his burned body.
On Oct. 16, Heriz set himself ablaze during a protest in front of the Lebanese military court. Protesters were demanding the release of citizens detained by the Lebanese military earlier in the month.
Since August, Lebanese citizens have called for an end to the crisis that began after trash accumulated in the streets due to the closure of a landfill south of Beirut. The loosely organized “You Stink” movement took off when other protesters took advantage of the widespread call for change and accused the government of corruption, with some even calling for new elections.
Tensions between sectarian-oriented political parties and between members of the Lebanese parliament have prevented a presidential candidate from being elected, and the country has been without a president for 17 months.
