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Catholic woman escapes death sentence in Pakistan, veiled Muslim woman inches towards US Congress

5-11-2018

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on October 31 repealed a death sentence and ordered the release of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi who was convicted in 2010 of blasphemy after a quarrel with a Muslim woman who accused her of insulting Prophet Mohammad. The verdict sparked mixed reactions. While Bibi’s lawyer described the verdict as great news for the country, Amnesty International deputy director for South Asia said it was a historic event. The verdict he said, sends a message that anti-blasphemy laws will no longer be used to persecute oppressed minorities. On the other hand, the radical Muslim political party, ‘Tehreek e Labaik Pakistan’ gave its religious ruling to kill three prominent judges of the supreme court after they chose to acquit Bibi. Thousands also took to the streets in protest of the ruling and closed roads in main cities as well as schools. Meanwhile, after Rashida Tlaib reached very close to become the first Muslim woman in the US Congress (https://goo.gl/3PbCVL), Al Mustaqbal newspaper reported on Friday that Ilhan Omar, Somali immigrant, 36-year old veiled Muslim, is another projected congressional candidate for the November 6 midterm elections. Recalling, that Omar fled Somalia when she was 8 before she emigrated to the US with her parents. In 2016, she won a parliamentary seat for Minnesota where a large Somali community lives. (Al Hayat, Al Mustaqbal, November 1, 2, 2018)

 

Related news:
Rashida Tlaib to become first Muslim woman elected to US Congress
 

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Jinan Khoury for senior regional legal post

5-11-2018

Professor Jinan Khoury was appointed last week as the regional secretary general for the Middle East of the UN International Society of Social Defense and Humane Criminal Policy (ISSD). The organization is involved in shaping a modern structure for criminal policies on a reparative and reformist basis and creating fundamental and balanced changes to the prevailing penal systems and principles. Khoury, to recall is a professor of criminal law at the Lebanese University (LU)- Master Program, head of the Legal Department at the Juridical Information Center at the Faculty of Law, LU, international expert at ESCWA on cybercrime and cyber related legislations as well as lecturer at CERSA (Beirut Airport), Banque du Liban and the Finance Institute- Ministry of Finance. She is also a trainer at the Common Force for Surveillance of the Lebanese Border program, a cooperation initiative between the Ministry of Defense and the Danish Embassy. She published several studies and research on modern penal systems. To note, the board of directors of ISSD is formed of the president, vice president, assistant secretaries’ general and regional secretaries for North and Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. (Al Diyar, November 4, 2018)
 

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Appeal the acquittal verdict in Roula Yacoub case

2-11-2018

After the Criminal Court of the North acquitted on Wednesday Karam Bazi of the crime of causing his wife’s death (https://goo.gl/juYkbG), Attorney General Samir Hamud asked Appellate Attorney General of the North, Judge Nabil Wehbe, to challenge the verdict before the court of cassation. On the subject, Al Akhbar cited a number of lawyers following up the case as saying that the ruling is the answer to the frequently asked question, “why are crimes against women not abating?” The answer is in the facts, particularly in the section of assessment of medical evidence. The court argued that the bruises on the victim’s body are not related to her death, while voicing contempt of the conduct of a husband who commits this form of assault against his wife!. (Al Akhbar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, November 2, 2018)
 

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Lebanon to promote women's political participation

2-11-2018

The President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, stressed that Lebanon is working to promote the rights of children and women and enhance the latter’s participation in political life. Aoun was speaking during his receiving on Wednesday UNFPA executive director, Natalia Kanim at Baabda Palace. The President pointed out that the parliament has approved the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission, noting that the freedom of expression is guaranteed in the country and that the judiciary is sovereign and independent. Lebanon is keen to ensure the best conditions and rights for prisoners, Aoun said. Besides, the State encourages women to be active in the legislative field, he maintained, pointing to the current appointment of women to various positions within the executive branch of the government. In turn, Kanim praised the partnership with NCLW headed by Claudine Aoun Rukuz who was present at the meeting, hoping that Lebanese women will be more involved in political life. Concurrently, Kanim, during her visit to prime minister Saad Hariri, renewed the UN’s commitment to continue working closely with Lebanon to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan. (An Nahar, November 1, 2018(

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After presidency, first woman head of Ethiopia’s Supreme Court

2-11-2018

Two weeks after the formation of a cabinet split equally between men and women, and one week after the election of the first woman president of the African country, the Ethiopian Parliament swore in Meaza Ashenafi as the first female to head the supreme court. This is a new step in the reformist efforts of prime minister Abiy Ahmed to achieve gender equality in government. Meaza, a well-known rights activist, has served recently as an advisor on women’s rights at the Addis-Ababa based UN Economic Commission for Africa. Following the majority vote, Abiy told lawmakers that the court system needs advanced capacities to successfully implement the requirements of justice, democracy and change in the country. (Al Mustaqbal, November 2, 2018)

 

Related news:
New breakthrough: Ethiopia appoints first female president
Hopefully one day in Lebanon: A cabinet with 50% women in Ethiopia 
 

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AIDS associations challenge State Security 

2-11-2018

In response to the arrest by the State Security on October 29 of HIV patient, Richard G. on charges of providing tattoo services in a Verdun beauty center, (https://goo.gl/WuxyZ9),the Lebanese AIDS Network Association, LANA, yesterday strongly denounced a State Security statement which stigmatized, criminalized and denied AIDS/HIV patients certain occupations. LANA cited reasons for its objection, explaining that, first, living with the virus is not a felony or charge, but a chronic health condition requiring continuous treatment; second, communicating or working with HIV patients is not life-threatening to others, third, there is no law or text that bans these patients from practicing any job. The State Security’s handling of the issue, LANA said, designates lack of education, ignorance of human rights and laws. It is a discriminatory action that endorses stigma and stereotyping, for it pictures HIV patients as intimidators, and appallingly transforming the human immunodeficiency virus infection into a national issue that jeopardizes national and social security in the country. (Al Akhbar, October 31, 2018)
 

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Lebanese confessions assaulting personal freedoms

1-11-2018

The Lebanese religious sects continue to intrude in all areas, including the personal status, politics, social issues and personal freedoms under various excuses. Following the former Mufti Qabani’s appeal this week to the heads of cabinet, parliament and republic to stop an LGBT party by the AUB’s Gender and Sexuality Club which announced cancelling the event (c.f:https://bit.ly/2SBFTIQ), Qabani yesterday thanked the director general of the General Security, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim for his immediate and swift response. The former mufti said this action will put an end to any tampering with the moral values of the Lebanese society and spreading immorality and sin among the youth, as he claimed. On the other hand, Mor Ignaius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, during a visit on October 12 to President Michel Aoun hoped a new cabinet will be formed soon which embraces minority sects. In the same context, the Metropolitan of Beirut and its Territory of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop, Elias Odeh, said the Diocese of Beirut is proud to be one of the pillars of the Patriarchate of Antioch. It will continue to be the crest of Orientalism, knowing that this might not appeal to some, Odeh, who was speaking during the annual medical conference of St. George’s University Hospital, added. He pointed out that the presence of St Georges University in Beirut does not challenge the presence of another affiliated academy in the North, the Balamand University. In fact, “We look forward to establish a university in every diocese that focuses on building an educated, spiritual and morally-developed youth,” he maintained. To recall, the cabinet last May approved and officially recognized the St. George University despite previous objections within the government on this. (c.f: http://www.lkdg.org/ar/node/17422)

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Lebanese law on swimming bans muhajabat from official tournaments

1-11-2018

Al Akhbar newspaper featured today the fate of the veiled Lebanese swimmers in the South who face religious hindrances and social rejection, in addition to logistic snags, like the absence of schools equipped with swimming pools, only few exist, according to couch Firas Yassin. Leila, 37, who wanted to become an Olympic swimmer, told Al Akhbar that the environment of the South is a religious and conservative one which rebuffs women’s freedom as allegedly contrary to its strict rules. Swimming from A to Z impinges on the laws and customs of religion, Leila cited her children as telling her. The newspaper wrote that, the South is not the only region hostile to female developing or growing hobbies, pointing out that, according to the Lebanese swimming law, the muhajaba cannot partake in the country’s Swimming Championship. On the subject, Al Akhbar spoke to one of the swimming instructors who is against depriving veiled women of their basic right to participate in official tournaments. “We challenged the law many times and visited minister Inaya Ezzedine who was responsive, but, so far, nothing changed, he said, noting that the international law on swimming allows veiled women to take part in tournaments. In conclusion, one female swimmer questioned the rejectionist stand of the Lebanese Swimming Federation if the female swimmer practices her religious commitment through the swimwear. “The Federation, it seems, believes that the veil is a threat to public safety,” she said sarcastically. (Al Akhbar, November 1, 2018)

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North Criminal Court acquits murderer of wife Roula Yacoub

1-11-2018

After the Cassation Court headed by Judge Joseph Samaha in January 2017 reversed an appeal filed by victim Rola Yaacoub’s husband accused of killing her five years ago and referred him to the North Criminal Court for causing her death (https://bit.ly/2QId2kv), the final verdict was issued yesterday acquitting the accused, her husband, Karam Bazi. Two judges, Khaled Akkari and Ziad Dawalibi, and due to insufficient evidence, sustained that Yaacoub, who was killed in front of her daughters, died naturally, ordering the immediate release of the culprit. The ruling also stated that the plaintiff waive his personal right and demands in line with the acquittal verdict, and pays all the court fees involved. On the other hand, the head of the court, Dani Chibli, opposed the acquittal which was based on a majority vote, confirming that the husband inflicted fatal injuries on his wife. He based his statement on the testimony of a woman who came to the victim’s house on the night of the murder and talked in private to the victim’s daughter who told her that her father has threatened them and beaten her mother to death. He also mentioned the testimony of a neighbor who said he heard screaming coming from the victim’s house before the incident. For his part, the victim family’s attorney, Raymond Yaacoub, said the prosecution department can appeal the verdict within two months from the date of its issuance, pointing out that the facts on which the final decision was based were inequitable, where the facts that condemn the husband were sidelined. The attorney said he regretted that the court relied on the daughters’ statements that their father did not beat their mother. He said he believed the testimony of the two girls came contrary to what they said on the day of the murder. Commenting on the ruling, Kafa organization announced that the case is not closed, and “we will appeal, hoping the trial will be fair and just.” (Al Akhbar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, November 1, 2018)

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Israeli violations against Palestinian women prisoners

1-11-2018

The head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies, Rafaat Hamdouna, said the decision to move women prisoners from HaSharon to Damon prison reflects inability of the Israeli prison administration to handle the prisoners’ ongoing and escalating strike since September 5. The protest was sparked against the installation of surveillance cameras in the prison yard and the repressive conditions of detention, Hamdouna explained, saying the transfer action aims to circumvent the protest and impose a situation of confusion and instability. The prisons’ administration, Hamdouna went on to say, carries out untold violations, including medical malpractice, inspection and incursions, ill-treatment during interrogation and transportation. He pointed to the continuous harsh punitive measures against women prisoners like fines, ban of family visits, ferocious investigation methods, the cutoff of hot water with the approach of the winter season, significant reduction of the amounts of meat and vegetables, confiscation of books and prohibiting prisoners from sitting for the high school and university exams, in addition to the overcrowded conditions and isolation of prisoners near the criminal Jewish inmates that continue to aggravate them. Finally, Hamdouna appealed to international human rights and women’s affairs institutions to pressure the occupation authorities to stop the blatant violations and work to release the prisoners. (Al Hayat, October 31, 2018)

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