News

 The Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa in the Kesrouan region launched Sunday the Jabal Moussa handicraft and food products brand as part of its project to politically and economically empower local women. The products is part of a bigger project, funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative, to “support small initiatives of traditional food production and handicraft in rural areas” according to the association. (The Daily Star)
 

Following last week’s arrest of 36 men in a raid by the Vice Squad on a porn cinema in the Burj Hammoud area of Beirut, the men were subject to anal probes testing to determine homosexuality. Human rights lawyers sent an appeal to the Justice Ministry and the Order of Physicians Wednesday urging to end the practice.  Three men were later charged under Article 534, which outlaws “unnatural sexual acts” after a physician told police he determined the men were gay. (The Daily Star)

Nasawiya, a feminist collective, is in search of 50 women leaders in Lebanon to be featured in a book the organization aims to publish this Christmas.   Nasawiya hopes to identify inspirational women who are often overlooked but overcome social, familial or legal hardship to excel in public service, aviation, filmmaking, publishing, sports, education, online gaming, or other fields. (The Daily Star)


 

In monitoring 16 parliamentarian committees, it is seen that issues regarding women and children, and the information technology committees are the least active.

Original text in Arabic: Annahar

 

Following worldwide criticism of the discriminatory practices of beach clubs and spas against African and Asian domestic workers in Lebanon, there was fear that some countries will boycott tourism in Lebanon. The Minister of Tourism, Fadi Abboud, announced yesterday that the tourism police will have no mercy applying the law against racist beach clubs and spas that discriminate against customers based on their color, race or profession.

Original text in Arabic: Al-Akhbar