MP Maruni faces wide condemnations for his statement regarding violence against women

Phalangist MP, Elie Maruni stated in a public event that “in some places, we need to ask about the role of women in instigating men to rape them”.  Maruni was speaking during a meeting organized by the Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaises which was convened last Wednesday to discuss article 522 of the penal code which exonerates rapists from legal pursuit in case they marry their victim.  During that same event, Maruni also expressed his refusal of the right of women to transmit their nationality using the usual excuse of preserving demographic balance.  Maruni’s statement stirred wide condemnations.  Activist and RDFL member Hayat Mirshad answered Maruni directly stating that “as a Lebanese citizen, I am ashamed of having MPs who think  this way while representing the Lebanese in Parliament”.  RDFL addressed a letter last Friday to MP and President of the Phalangist Party condemning Marouni’s statements.  In addition, a number of activists launched an electronic petition (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqefNeT7ngDPVkiFXdq6xXlJbg1SGQrH120vp2YMHDw/mobilebasic) demanding that Maruni apologises to Lebanese women especially those who had suffered from physical, sexual and moral violence.  Maruni for his part regretted in a press conference convened last Saturday if his “statement upset some people” but nevertheless went on to defend his statement.  Prior to his press statement, Maruni had gone all out to accuse RDFL of being a “suspect organization” with a specific political agenda to target him before the next parliamentary elections.  Maruni added that his words were taken out of context and that he reserves his right to take legal action against RDFL and whoever is behind her. (Al Akhbar, Al- Diyar, and An-Nahar , 10 &12 September 2016)