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English

Repeal of Article 522 is but a sectarian swap

17-8-2017

The Lebanese Parliament repealed yesterday Article 522 of the Penal Code which exonerate a rapist should he marry his victim, noting that this abolition has come after years of campaigning by women’s rights groups. Commenting on the news, Kafa, Enough Violence and Exploitation, described it as ceremonial and incomplete, saying “parliamentarians are trying to distract us by unfinished victories.” Kafa communications officer, Maya Ammar, told Al Modon electronic portal that despite the tokenistic scrapping of Article 522, yet its effects remain under Article 505. The latter exempts sex with a minor (who completed her 15 years) if the perpetrator marries his survivor. The same, Ammar added, applies to Article 518 related to forced sex by means of deception to marry the victim. Article 505, Ammar noted, is extremely perilous as it involves marriage with an underage girl who is unaware of her decision. Ammar pledged to keep the struggle to revoke the complete effects of the contentious and antiquated Article 522 and to pass the law on setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 years. The minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Oggasapian, expressed reservations over retaining Articles 505 and 518, stating that there should be no compromise or exceptions to escape the crime of rape. On the other hand, lawyer Daniele Howayek from Abaad organization, said the repeal of Article 522 is an achievement and a victory for women despite attempts by some women rights groups to suggest the opposite by focusing on the controversial Articles 505 and 518. For reference, during the legislative session devoted to the repeal vote, MP Sammy Gemayel warned against the right to marry under 18 as endorsed by Article 505, to which Parliament Speaker replied by saying that under Muslim personal status laws, marriage is okayed if the guardian of the minor approves. Spiritual courts, he maintained, will pay a particular caring attention to this issue, clarifying that necessities permit the prohibited, and that addressing the subject should be gradual. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, August 17, 2017

 

Previous related news:
Sub-committee abolish legal clause condoning the marriage of rapist to his victim
Calls for full annulment of an unfair law article on VAW
Sit-in near the Parliament to protest forced marriage of a raped woman to her rapist
 

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Joint collaboration to support SMEs in Lebanon

17-8-2017

In a statement issued yesterday, Byblos Bank announced its signing of a loan agreement with SANAD Fund for MSME by which up to USD 20 million are channeled to support the financing needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), contribute to creation of additional jobs, reduce poverty and stimulate growth and development. To note, SANAD Fund aims to finance micro, small and medium enterprises as well as low-income households in the Middle East and North Africa through qualified local lenders. The statement pointed out that the loan is the first of its kind with Byblos Bank in support of local SMEs operating in any of the economic sectors, including commerce, industry, professional services and services in general, crafts or any marginalized small industries or trades. The loan, the statement went on to say, can be also used to provide short or long term funding at competitive interest rates to cover permanent working capital of SMEs. On the occasion, Byblos Bank chair and general manager, Semaan Bassil, stressed confidence in bolstering relations with SANAD in the coming years. The objective is to promote the growth of SMEs given their significant contribution to national development and generation of jobs, he stated. For her part, SANAD board chair, Daniela Beckman, said “this loan is only a first step with our new partner, Byblos Bank.” (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, August 17, 2017)

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Crisis of marketing crops versus government’s disability

17-8-2017

The minister of finance, Ali Hassan Khalil, uncovered during a Cabinet meeting on August 9 problems in funding (déblocage des credits) problems which are hampering the release of the 2nd installment of compensation to apple growers. The president of the Lebanese Farmers Association, Antoine Howayek, had earlier given the government one week ultimatum to resolve this impasse, describing what is happening as a relinquishing of responsibilities to disrupt the financing process. Howayek said promises by political parties to deliver the remaining batch of funds has exposed the lies they harbor and their disdain or indifference to Lebanese farmers. Khalil’s statement came in response to a question put by health minister Ghassan Hasbani on the subject, as reported by L’Orient Le Jour. Khalil made clear to the newspaper that the allocated sums will be dispensed, but did not give further details. To note, the previous cabinet of PM Tamam Salam had agreed last October to pay a sum of LBP 40 billion to grieved farmers half of which has been distributed (LBP 20 billion). However, the unfavorable situation continues to engulf different types of agriculture across the Lebanese regions. According to An Nahar, with the unending apple crisis and the stacking of produce in cold storage, pears are facing the same fate with pear growers calling for assistance to face an imminent disaster. Also, various agriculture cooperative associations in Tanourine, Bcharri, Ehden and Laqlouq have raised voice for the same demands. (L’Orient Le Jour, An Nahar, August 11, 2017)

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Pilot car-free eco-village in Kfarzebian

16-8-2017

Ahlam Golf & Mountain Village by FFA Real Estate was launched last week in Kfarzibian area where the untouched and protected nature represents 70% of the surface area of the 1.1 million square meter scheme. The village is car-free designed exclusively for pedestrians, hikers and trekkers who can benefit from the many accessible nature trails. The project also contains an equestrian and polo club, a golf course and club and other facilities. To note, the development project, under construction, gives people the option to buy a piece of land and build their own home or live in the central village’s ready-made houses. On the project, Omar Shantouf, general manager of FFA Real Estate, said the vision is to create a scenic place where dreams can turn into reality. Staring this summer, Shantouf added, people are invited to see for themselves what living in Ahlam Golf & Mountain Village is like, besides the comfort and essential amenities extended by the project. (Al Akhbar, August 15, 2017)

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An all-women security squadron in India to combat violence against women

16-8-2017

In its Monday’s issue, An Nahar newspaper published news of an all-women battalion in the Indian Security Forces deployed in the streets of Jaipur, especially at bus stops, parks and universities where cases of violence against women are rampant. The job of the women-only regiment is to enforce security and law in the city located in the North of a country where 40,000 cases of rape are reported each year. In a nation that has developed a repute of a laid back attitude towards sexual harassment and violence against women, a women squadron struggles to reinforce security, according to its commander Kamal Shawkat who promised to be extremely firm in this respect. An Nahar cited figures by experts which show that reported sexual assaults are only a tip of the iceberg of countless incidents whose survivors prefer not to disclose the assault. Human rights activists note that male dominance is widely noticeable in the Indian Police with women barely representing 7%, which prevents sexual violence victims from speaking up. Additionally, police stations often harbour prejudices against the victims based on their appearances or behaviour, and in some instances, hold them responsible for bringing violence on themselves. Another reason why women rape survivors stay silent is stigma and the intense feeling of shame and sometimes, fear of revenge, from the conservative Indian society. An Nahar concluded by saying that the Jaipur Police hopes the women’s security squad will encourage rape victims to break their silence. (An Nahar, August 14, 2017)

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Tunisian President stands up for gender equality in inheritance, Al Azhar objects

16-8-2017

Al Azhar deputy, Sheikh Abbas Shouman, criticized in a statement published yesterday on his official Facebook page, the Tunisian President, Beji Caid Essebsi’s call for gender equality in inheritance. Such calls, Shouman said, are unfair to women and are against Islamic Sharia. He pointed out that inheritance is clearly divided as indicated in verses that cannot accept further jurisdiction and do not change with changing circumstances in time and place. It is one of the few topics exhaustively detailed in the Holy Koran under ‘Surat al Nisa’. Shouman’s comments came in response to Essebsi’s proposal on National Women’s Day to push for establishing gender equality in inheritance and eventually, in all arenas. Al Azhar deputy explained that in some instances women are equal to, and perhaps, surpass men, according to Sharia, which has very wisely taken into consideration the reality on the ground and the need for money of the male or female heir, or his/her affinity with the deceased, disregarding the gender, as alleged by many. Essebsi earlier asked the government to revoke a decree of the year 1973 that prohibits marriage between a non-Muslim man and a Muslim woman. Shouman in his response warned that such called-for marriages are unjust to women. The interfaith marriage, he claimed, has mostly lost the qualities of affection and cohabitation sought by marriage, because the non-Muslim husband does not believe in Islam and therefore, his Muslim wife would hate him for not encouraging or allowing her to perform the rituals of her religion. (Al Hayat, August 16, 2017)

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Yara Khoury international electronic games producer

16-8-2017

L’Orient Le Jour in its issue of August 11 highlighted the profile of French-Lebanese electronic games innovator Yara Khoury who now manages her own business. Khoury was born in Lebanon in 1986 and immigrated with her family to France two years later. At the age of 15, Khoury discovered her passion for electronic games and decided to hit the road to realize her aspiration. Khoury enrolled in the school of business in Nantes, France and got her training at the Lyon branch of the renowned American video game company, Electronic Arts Inc. EA, L’Orient Le Jour wrote. Khoury’s ambition brought her to the US to continue her higher studies at the University of Cincinnati and train at Visceral Games. In 2011, the newspaper went on to say, Khoury who was busy developing most famous e-games in the world realized that she wants to kick off her own enterprise in the field. Khoury, to recall, teamed up with the American video game programmer, Amy Hennig, for a Star Wars project. In 2016, she set up her company with the support of the US venture capital firms, Benchmark and Silicon Valley. The first electronic game of the startup will reportedly be named ‘SOS’ and published by the end of 2017. (L’Orient Le Jour, August 11, 2017)

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Hospitality vocational training in Baalbaq

14-8-2017

The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) in Baalbak concluded a hospitality training workshop with the participation of 15 young men and women. During the closing day, LOST director, Dr. Rami Lakkis, stressed the importance of similar empowering events which help trainees acquire an income generating profession that secures an adequate standard of living for their households or enables them to start their private enterprises. The project invigorates the community with specialized and competent human resources expected to contribute to the development process, Lakkis maintained, pointing that these ongoing courses will benefit new groups, that will be trained by distinguished graduates from the current course. To note, the 5-day course comes as part of ‘Bina’ project funded by the Bavarian government in Germany. (Al Diyar, August 14, 2017)

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Small grants to Palestinian and Syrian refugees

14-8-2017

In her arts and culture column in Al Mustaqbal, journalist Pamela Kesrwani highlighted yesterday the small grants program promoted by Basma wa Zeitoona civil society organization (news: https://goo.gl/zF5LZ1). To know more on the subject, Kesrouani interviewed director of programs, Hiba Daher, who explained that in an attempt to empower Syrian and Palestinian refugees, Basma wa Zeitouneh launched in 2015 its ‘small grants’ program aimed at training a targeted group on entrepreneurship principles. Accordingly, graduates can access financial loans that can eventually help them develop their skills and beat poverty. Since the kickoff of the first stage of the program, the lives of many people who joined the program have changed, Daher maintained, pointing to the 46-year-old displaced Palestinian-Syrian woman, Basma Mansur, who fled from Syria to live in Shatila camp of Beirut. Mansur, Daher said, applied for a loan to open a shop that sells grains, herbs and other food products, and has now brought about the change she long awaited restoring her once-lost hope and eagerness to achieve more. A year from opening her store, Daher boasted, Mansour is working on expanding it by introducing additional brands. The program, Daher mentioned, targets women (75%) and men (25%) aged between 18 to 55 years and is now operational in other camps and regions across Lebanon. (Al Mustaqbal, August 13, 2017)

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Italian Order of Knight to Mary Semaan, director of Semaan Galery

14-8-2017

The Italian Ambassador to Beirut Massimo Marotti handed the Order of Knighthood for Lebanese engineer, May Semaan, director of La Galerie Semaan in Hazmieh. During the ceremony held at the ambassador’s residence in Naccash, Marotti praised the distinguished achievements of Semaan who succeeded in maintaining one of Beirut’s outstanding furniture ventures. He also commended the young start of Semaan as an engineer for the family business where she braced her passion for design and the Italian culture to become the manager of an Italian design landmark in Lebanon. The Order of Star of Italy, Marotti noted, is a sign of recognition for Semaan’s accomplishments and endeavor to promote Italy’s designs in the country. (Al Mustaqbal, August 14, 2017)

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