STATEMENTS BY MPS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY
The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) studied the role of Members of Parliament (MPs) and how their work might be affecting the abolition of hate speech, and the embodiment of human rights in the Lebanese society; following the latest decision that has been imposed by the Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi concerning crackdowns on LGBTQI+ community gatherings on June 24, 2022.
Recently, an increase in human rights violations was noted by several organizations, mostly affecting vulnerable groups. This emphasizes on the role of policy makers and decision makers in highlighting these human rights violations and defending them.
With the beginning of Pride month, Pride events are celebrated all over the world to fight for equality for the LGBTQI+ community. Events related to and organized by LGBTQI+ activists have been banned following the June 24th decision, which called on the ISF to take the necessary measures to "prevent any kind of event, celebration or gathering" of the LGBTQI+ community, which is a violation of their right to freedom of expression.
Violations of the LGBTQI+ Human Rights in Lebanon
Throughout the years, police arrests, discrimination, and rights violations have targeted the LGBTQI+ community in Lebanon. The recent ban on pride events poses an additional threat to the basic constitutional rights of LGBTQI+ individuals as well as their right to equality, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly.
Furthermore, the exercise of hate speech and violence has affected Lebanese citizens and has set off threats against the community such as the destruction of a billboard containing a rainbow flag in support to the LGBTQ+ that was set up for the abovementioned event by a Christian group calling itself the “Soldiers of God”'.
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Mawlawi, considers homosexuality as “a phenomenon contrary to the habits and customs of our society” and that “freedom of expression cannot be invoked in this case”, which affirms that the Minister acknowledged the possibility of violating freedom of expression. His decision has been either supported or denounced by some of the Lebanese members of Parliament (MP)s. The remainder didn’t comment or give their opinion about it.
The positions of MPs on the matter
CLDH condemns the ministry of interior’s decision as well as MPs' statements supporting it. MP Yassin Yassin, a member of the Sahlouna wal Jabal Party, for instance, considered that homosexuality is a direct attack on Dar al-Fatwa and “religious sanctities” not to forget the other MPs affiliated to different political parties who supported the decision taken by Mawlawi.
Additionally, Hassan Fadlallah, Ashraf Rifi, Rami Finge and Michel Daher made statements condemning the “promotion of homosexuality”. Supporting this decision incites hate speech through speech, writing and conduct against this group. Violence in the name of religion or culture is often manifested through acts of extremism, discriminatory policies or legislation or even State repression like the mentioned MPs statements supporting Mawlawi’s letter. It might also be related to prejudicial actions against the LGBTQI+ community which directly interferes with their basic rights as humans and citizens.
Moreover, there has been a significant silence regarding the matter from a decent number of both politically affiliated MPs and allegedly change MPs. Not commenting over the decision imposed leads us to the question: Do non commenters count as opposed to LGBTQI+ rights or merely indifferent about the matter?
The role of MPs: Is neutrality as harmful as hate speech?
In both cases, CLDH considers that indifference and neutrality serve in favor of the oppressors, not the oppressed. If members of the parliament and political representatives remain silent on the matter, this could be equally harmful to marginalized or affected groups, further contributing to practices and violations.
Political parties represented in the current Parliament, namely the Lebanese Forces, the Marada Movement, The Islamic Charitable Projects Association, the Ex-Future Movement, the National Liberal Party, the Popular Nasserist Organization and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation have not voiced their opinions on the matter.
Likewise, MPs should regularly speak in support or against legislation. Failure to speak out means that MPs are questioning whether they will work on the abolishment or related denunciation of any law regulation that condemns the LGBTQI+ community. Especially, article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code and any other subsequent decision taken by the authorities that may affect the community.
Article 534 of the aforementioned Code prohibits "sexual intercourse against nature” and has long been used throughout the years to commit numerous violations against the LGBTQI+ rights in Lebanon and justify discrimination against the group in general.
Legal Aspect about Human Rights in Lebanon
Paradoxically, Lebanon guarantees within its Constitution the protection of human rights and the equality between all residents, following its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), expressly stipulated in the preamble to the Constitution.
This insinuates the nonapplication of the norms present in Lebanon’s Constitution and indicates that basic human rights should be protected. For instance, Freedom of Assembly has a great importance in advocating and introducing real change and the acceptance of any assemblies organized, like that of the LGBTQI+ community for instance. It plays a crucial role in facilitating continuous dialogue and creates an open and tolerant society, in which different groups, including the LGBTQI+ people, live in prosperity together.
Call to action
CLDH condemns the silence of the MPs towards the subject and questions the non-commentators on their viewpoint of the decision taken by the Caretaker Minister of Interior, and the abolition of article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code. CLDH asks the non-commentators for a clearer point of view and calls them to condemn human rights violations or any threats that might impact the lives of marginalized groups in Lebanon.
POLITICAL PARTIES AND STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY
THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR’S DECISION REGARDING LGBTQI+ GATHERINGS
CLDH monitored members of the parliament’s (MPs)' statements regarding the recent decision released by the Ministry of Interior calling for a crackdown on the LGBTQI+ community. The accounts monitored included official parties' accounts, in addition to individual statements published separately by MPs.
TABLE OF STATEMENTS
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