Human rights in Lebanon

Human rights in Lebanon refers to the state of human rights in Lebanon, which were considered to be on par with global standards in 2004.[1]

Treatment of homosexuals

[change | change source]

A few courts have ruled that Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code should no longer be used to arrest LGBT people, however members of the LGBT community are still being arrested, harassed and prosecuted by this law. Today, there are several Lebanese organizations and movements that aim to improve the living conditions for the LGBT community,[2] none of which are governmental.

In 2002, a gay rights organization was started in Lebanon. The group, known as Hurriyyat Khassa or Private Liberties sought to reform the Article 534 of the criminal code so that sexual relations between consenting adults in private were no longer a crime. Another gay rights organization in Lebanon is called Helem (Arabic: حلم), meaning "Dream" in Arabic. This is an acronym for the Lebanese Protection of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community. These organizations have staged a few public demonstrations, lectures, fundraisers for AIDS education, charitable events and exhibitions of films and have been interviewed by the Lebanese media.

"Anal examinations" were used in Lebanon on men suspected of homosexuality. On 28 July 2012, a gay venue in Beirut was raided by police and 36 men were taken into custody, where they were forced to undergo these examinations. In response, dozens demonstrated in Beirut against these "examinations," calling them the "tests of shame."[3][4] This practice was outlawed by the Ministry of Justice. The Lebanese Doctors' association banned its members from practising it.

References

[change | change source]
  1. ↑ "Lebanon", Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2004, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 28 February 2005
  2. ↑ "Peaceful Rally in Beirut for Gay Rights", George Achi, L'Orient-Le Jour, 23 February 2009, English translation by Yoshie Furuhashi, MRZine
  3. ↑ "Lebanese protest anal exams on suspected homosexuals". Ynetnews (AFP). Yedioth Ahronot. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Outraged Lebanese demand end to anal exams on gay men". BBC News. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.