News

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report about domestic violence which looked at this trend from the standpoint of various stakeholders even though the practice and results of violence remain similar.  The report dwells on the case of a woman abused by her brother who boasts about the violence he practiced against members of his family for many years and says that he has strived throughout his life to maintain the “unity” of his family.  The report also analyses various factors that lead to violent behavior within the family whilst noting that nothing excuses the perpetrator of violence as they have to bear the responsibility of their actions and no factor can be considered to be a direct cause of violence. According to the report, perpetrators of violence usually seek to control their victims and deal with them as objects.  Such people have low self esteem and are usually subdued vis-à-vis people whom they think are strong.
According to the report, violence is encouraged by many external factors mainly peer support and value.  Hence, it is important to understand the political, social, economic and educational sources which support, condone and protect domestic violence.  The report also provides illustrations of different forms of violence in Lebanon such as educational violence including moral and physical violence against students in schools, political violence through different forms of oppression, economic violence practiced by the state and holders of financial interests which usually collaborate to oppress economically-weak people, through for instance sabotaging the trade union movement for the review of the public salary scale.
Source: Al-Akhbar 5 September 2014

The Faculty of Agriculture at the Lebanese University signed yesterday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with each of the Municipalities of Baalbek, Hasbayya, Kawkaba and Aramoun and that is within the framework of the programme entitled “Establishment of a network pilot sites to evaluate innovative technologies and sustainable forest reforestation” and which aims at strengthening reforestation activities in areas selected by these municipalities.
The president of the Lebanese University, Adnan al Sayyed Hassan, noted in his speech during the signing event, that implementation will take place in synergy with the University as the Faculty of Agriculture will provide technical and academic skill and will contribute to identifying the needs of the eco-system in all of the selected areas.  He added that this new project will strengthen the concept of administrative decentralization, the collaboration between institutions of the public sector and various local governance structures which represent the development aspirations of local community.  Sayyed Hassan further added that the programme falls within the framework of the Agriculture and Rural Development Project which is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture with funding from the European Union.

Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 4 September 2014

The BLOM Lebanon PMI for the month of August 2014 showed a sharp decline from 47.9 to 45.5 over the past six months.  The main components of the indicator, namely production, new orders and employment, witnessed a sharper decline than in July and companies’ level of procurements retracted while deliveries to suppliers improved in view of the regression in levels of purchases. The report which is issued by BLOM notes that the decline of production within the private sector is the most evident since the month of February in view of the security problems and their impact on tourism.  Decline in the level of orders is said to be due to the decline in exports which prompted companies to reduce their staff and limit purchasing which, for its part, scored the lowest level of decline since the start of the PMI publishing back in May 2013.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, 4 September 2014

To review this report, please go to the following link: BLOM Lebanon PMI

Nine CSOs, namely: Anti Racism Movement, ALEF, HRW, Insan Association, Lebanese Centre for Human Rights, Legal Agenda, Migrant Community Center, Migrant Workers Task Force (MWTF), AJEM, issued a joint statement yesterday condemning the recent decision of Internal Security and which stipulates the suspension of residency permit renewal for a number of low paid migrant workers as well as to their underage children born in Lebanon.  The signatories noted that this new decision violates the right to family life.  The statement also noted that some 12 migrant women who have been residing in Lebanon for prolonged periods, have informed the CSOs of being denied residency renewal for them and for their children.  Some were told that they do not have the right to have children in Lebanon and were asked to leave the country some during a period of no more than 48 hours.
The statement also noted, based on sources within General Security that GS issued a new order related to children of low paid migrant workers as well as their fathers and mothers.  The same source added that GS has not yet responded to the several appeals issued by CSOs requesting to receive a copy of this new decision.  The statement noted that, previously, migrant workers could apply for one-year residency permits for their children until 4 years of age and continue to apply for residency if their children enroll in schools.

Source: Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, L’Orient Le jour 4 September 2014

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report about the case of H.H. who confessed to raping more than 50 women over a period of 4 years, none of whom filed a legal procedure.  Of the total only 25 of victims, all aged over 50 years, lodged a complaint upon his arrest.  The report addresses the question of victims of rape who prefer to keep silent rather than acknowledge an act of rape.  The newspaper quotes a source in the investigation saying that the majority of women have not lodged a complaint against H.H. because of the conservative environment to which they belong whilst noting that most of the crimes occurred in the Shouf and the mountain area.  Psychologist Nadine Lahhoud noted that women do not come forward because they have been raised to be fearful especially in what concerns taboos.  She added that in cases of rape, society tend to blame women and problematise the issue in such a way that considers rapists to be innocent.
An activist noted that rapists are encouraged by the fact that they are likely to get away with their crimes because women will not dare say what happened and because sex is considered to be taboo by families and by society.  She added that women do not have enough trust to resort to the state.  She quotes training sessions on dealing with VAW between Kafa and the ISF where ISF members refrained from registering complaints by women victims of domestic violence because “these are private matters” or because they “have no time for chit chat”.
Source: Al-Akhbar 3 September 2014

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report about the rampant trend of marriage of underage girls coinciding with the next session of the Human Rights Council which will take place in Geneva on September 27th.  The issue of early marriage is on the agenda of the next HR Council meeting amongst its 40 items to be discussed.  According to the General Secretary of the NCLW, Fady Karam, the NCLW has prepared a law proposal to determine the legal framework of such practices.  The proposed law requests the consultation of a judge in order to secure a marriage license, short of which, the family has to pay a penalty.  Karam noted in his interview with Al Akhbar that according to the new law, families may request a marriage license from religious courts. He insisted on the need for harmonisation between religious and civil courts to ensure the protection of children.
The report noted that early marriages are on the rise in rural areas such as Akkar and the Beqaa.  Even though statistics are not available in Lebanon, UNICEF nevertheless noted that as a result of the Syrian crisis and the influx of 1.3 million displaced people, the trend has grown exponentially in displacement centres.  According to worldwide estimates, one of every nine girls is being forced to marriage before reaching 15 years of age.  Some girls are even forced to marry at six years of age.  The report underscores the negative impact of early marriage on health especially given the risks of repeated and forced pregnancy which is directly linked to maternal and infant mortality.

Source: Al-Akhbar 2 September 2014

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report on the implementation of the domestic violence bill number 293 and which was endorsed some four months ago whilst focusing on the trends followed by judges.  According to the report, some 16 cases have resorted to the law of which 11 were lodged by Kafa and 5 by lawyer Brigitte Chalabian, the director of Justice without Borders.  According to Leyla Awada, lawyer at Kafa, the emerging problem related to the gaps and differences amongst judges in requesting protection orders, hence the difficulty in setting up a standard mechanism for women victims of violence to resort to.  Awada added that verdicts also differ depending on the judge’s background and mindset regarding the different forms of violence against women and its relation to power.  She also notes that the law does not clearly defines a number of terms leaving this to the judge’s discretion and interpretation as the categories of VAW included in the law did not clearly stipulate what the penalties should be.
Chalabian noted for her part that the biggest problems will arise once there will be requests for continuance and in cases of divorce as there will be an overlap in three laws namely: the domestic violence bill, the law to protect underage children and personal status laws.  She wondered what will happen if there are differences between religious and civil courts noting that the law has given religious courts the prerogatives of appealing civil laws.  Thus, the domestic violence would have only protected women from violence but not for example from being separated from their children.

Source: Al-Akhbar 2 September 2014

An Nahar newspaper published a report about the summer festivals in the Shuf area which, unlike in other parts of Lebanon, were carried out according to plans notwithstanding the current political and security situation.  As such, and according to tourism coordinator, Kamal Abu Assi, villages in the Shuf had some 65,000 visitors this year compared to 60,000 for last year and that is as a result of the various activities organized by the municipalities and other organizations.
Abu Assi told An Nahar that despite the difficult general context, the Beiteddine festival kicked off as planned in addition to other festivals in the region and that is within the framework of a development marketing plan for the areas.  Festivals include Khraybet al-Shuf, Baruk, Maasser al-Shuf and Mresti.  Abu Assi added that Maasser Shuf will inaugurate a hiking activity as of September 7th which consists of a 17 kilometers walk to the Maasser el Shuf cedar forest.  He expects some 1500 civilians and army forces to join this hike.  Within the same vein, the Botmeh el Shuf municipality celebrated last week the launch of its annual village festival under the auspices of the president of the Democratic Encounter, MP Walid Jumblat represented by his son Teymur.

Source: Al-Nahar 1 September 2014

The Akkar Development Network organized a graduation ceremony for 150 Lebanese and Syrian women who participated in the activities of the Women’s Empowerment project in Akkar which was funded by MEPI.  The event included an exhibition to market the handicrafts, produced by participants during vocational training, and which included some 700 chocolates, accessories, soap and candle items.
To be noted that this project which was implemented by the Akkar Development Network extended over nine months and covered 4 areas of Akkar, namely Bebnine, Mechha, Tekrit and Meshmesh. The project aimed at providing women with an opportunity to develop their manual, entrepreneurial and commercial skills in addition to helping them take initiatives to design and implement small projects according to their personal and financial capacities.  The event was concluded with a discussion seminar with the participation of four women who shared their experiences with local women in Akkar while addressing issues related to environment, politics, and human rights.

Source: Al-Nahar 1 September 2014

The Lebanese Cultural Association organized last week its fifth annual handicrafts exhibition, under the auspices of former PM Saad Hariri represented by the Future Movement coordinator in Tripoli, Mustapha 3allooch.  The President of the Association, Omar Kabbara, noted that this exhibition, which was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was much needed by artisans so that they continue with their work and that it also contributes to local development in Tripoli.  He added that Tripoli only needs a bit of support to make a come back on the tourism map. The head of the Tripoli Municipality, Nader Ghazal, noted that all similar activities should enjoy support especially that these are trying times for all.  He added that any such activity was likely to shed light on Tripoli’s values and heritage.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 1 September 2014