The Acting State Prosecutor signs a memorandum to the Court of Cassation considering women who leave their marital home “missing”

The Acting State Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud at Court of Cassation signed yesterday an official memorandum addressed to judges and where women who leave their homes will now be considered as “missing” rather than “fleeing” as used to be recorded earlier in the court cases against women in these situations.

The memorandum specifically indicates that when women were reported as having fled their homes, a search warrant used to be issued against them and they would be subjected to arrest detention and humiliation.  Now, with this new measure, the police will only look for women and ensure that they are OK and safe from harm.

However, and according to lawyer Nizar Saghieh, this new measure is but a ruse to catch women who have left their husband.  It also legitimizes the principle of men issuing a complaint against their wives in case they leave their house without the husband’s consent.  Saghieh insists that this will not change the situation of women who remain unable to leave home without their husband’s consent.

Source: Al-Safir 23 January 2014