Women’s organizations condemn the killing of Rula Ya3cub (in Akkar) and call for approval of the law on domestic violence.

The killing of Rula Ya3cub by her husband In Halba (Akkar) prompted women’s organizations, once more, to protest and condemn the act, and to remind the Lebanese parliamentarians of the tragedy of many Lebanese women who are subjected on a daily basis to continued domestic violence, calling on MPs to pass the draft law aiming to protect women from domestic violence.
Thus, a group of women and men activists held a sit-in on Sunday July 14, 2013 in Riad Solh Square, under the slogan, “Your silence kills them everyday”, as a protest cry against all religious and political opponents of the proposed law. During the sit-in, woman activist Hayat Mirshad urging for the adoption of the law during the forthcoming parliamentary session scheduled for 16th of July, pointing out that 24 Lebanese women were killed between 2010 and 2013 by family members. Other statements were made by the Lebanese Women’s Council who denounced the crime, reiterating the demand for the passing of the domestic violence law and calling for the 7th of July to be declared a national day for women subjected to violence; as well as by Musawaat (Equality), Wardeh Botros association, the Committee for Lebanese Woman’s Rights and many other women, trade union, youth, cultural and social organisations.
For her part, Estrida Geagea (MP), condemned “the hideous crime that claimed the life of Rula Ya2cub”, describing it as “a disgrace to Lebanon, as a state, and society in the 21st century”, and calling for the tightening of legislation in order to protect women against domestic violence; an objective, which she claimed, will be on top of her priorities.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal 16 july 2013