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State Council Suspends Mawlawi’s Ban On Pride Events
[Main image retrieved from Associated Press]
Back in June 2022, the Lebanese Minister of Interior in Lebanon’s caretaker government Bassam Mawlawi issued a ban on events that “promote homosexuality”.
The crackdown on LGBTQ+ events caused an outrage, with many members of the community expressing feeling unsafe as a result of the rising homophobic sentiment in Lebanon.
In August 2022, Legal Agenda and Helem filed a lawsuit before the State Council against Mawlawi’s decision, as it is in violation of the Lebanese constitution for inciting violence against marginalized communities.
In response to the lawsuit, the State Council suspended Mawlawi’s ban on LGBTQ+ gatherings and events until a ruling is issued. This means that security agencies can no longer restrict the work of organizations or activists advocating for queer rights, as well as any events or meetings that tackle queer matters.
The suspension of Mawlawi’s homophobic decision is a major step towards protecting members of the LGBTQ+ community from violations of their constitutional rights as a minority in Lebanon.
Hopefully this means the Lebanese government will be focusing on serious matters plaguing the country.
Back in June 2022, the Lebanese Minister of Interior in Lebanon’s caretaker government Bassam Mawlawi issued a ban on events that “promote homosexuality”.
The crackdown on LGBTQ+ events caused an outrage, with many members of the community expressing feeling unsafe as a result of the rising homophobic sentiment in Lebanon.
— Salman Andary (@salmanonline) June 24, 2022
In August 2022, Legal Agenda and Helem filed a lawsuit before the State Council against Mawlawi’s decision, as it is in violation of the Lebanese constitution for inciting violence against marginalized communities.
In response to the lawsuit, the State Council suspended Mawlawi’s ban on LGBTQ+ gatherings and events until a ruling is issued. This means that security agencies can no longer restrict the work of organizations or activists advocating for queer rights, as well as any events or meetings that tackle queer matters.
After the lawsuit filed by Helem and @Legal_Agenda, the State Council suspended the execution of the illegitimate decision of the Minister of Interior, which banned any gathering aimed at promoting what he called “the phenomenon of sexual deviance”
— Helem (@HelemLebanon) November 15, 2022
1/2 pic.twitter.com/FMPwSpPXMG
The suspension of Mawlawi’s homophobic decision is a major step towards protecting members of the LGBTQ+ community from violations of their constitutional rights as a minority in Lebanon.
Hopefully this means the Lebanese government will be focusing on serious matters plaguing the country.