Notaries refuse General Security circular regarding foreign domestic workers

The Notaries of Lebanon rejected a circular by the General Security Directorate which calls on them not to formally recognize all forms of emotional relationship between foreign migrant domestic workers of the third and fourth categories. The Council of Notaries Chief Raymonde Bashur Sakr appealed in two letters to the Interior and Justice Ministries five days ago to cancel the above decision which violates both the International Convention for Human Rights and the Lebanese Constitution that protects public freedoms. However, no final decision regarding the implementation of that official directive was taken, Sakr explained, adding that the decision is still binding and can be only repealed by the Ministry of Justice. However, she noted that some notaries have refused to abide by the GS circular. It is worth mentioning here, the Legal Agenda and other associations sent a detailed memo earlier on May 13 calling for cancellation of Circular 1778 (for more info, press here). For its part, the GS reply which justified the purpose of the circular was even more appalling than the decision itself. The reply went on to argue inconvincibly that the precautionary measure was not intended to prevent marriages or to interfere in personal matters of citizens or resident workers but aimed at protecting the integrity and the social role of the family, while respectful of the residency requirements. (Al Akhbar, 16 June 2015)