Lebanese family laws violate women’s rights but a civil code is considered an apostasy!

Lebanese family laws violate women’s rights but a civil code is considered an apostasy!

According to a report of Human Rights Watch, Lebanon’s religious family laws clearly discriminate against women.  HRW called on the Parliament to adopt an optional civil code which will ensure equal rights to women and men wishing to marry.  HRW also called on the government to exercise close supervision over the religious courts and authorities.  HRW’s report which was released last Monday and is entitled: “Unequal and Unprotected: Women’s Rights under Lebanese Personal Status Laws“,  indicated that there are 15 different religious family laws which all violate women’s human rights especially at four levels, namely in divorce, child custody, economic disenfranchisement and protection from family violence.

On the other hand and while addressing the same issue, the current Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Nehad el Mashnook, made a public declaration five days ago in which he invited those who wish to contract a civil marriage to do so in nearby Cyprus!  To be noted that the former Mufti of the Republic, Rashid Kabbani, also accused of apostasy all those who support civil marriage even if only optional.

The HRW report can be accessed via the following link: Unequal and Unprotected: Women’s Rights under Lebanese Personal Status Laws