Sit-in Outside the Cabinet in Lebanon Successful
The one hour sit-in organized by the Nationality Campaign coordinators and activists from CRTD-A on Thursday July 24, 2008 was remarkably successful. Sixty participants gathered outside the Lebanese Cabinet offices to call on the new government to reform the nationality code so women can confer their nationality to their foreign husbands and children. The sit-in received a great deal of media coverage with at least one segment in the daily TV news, seven articles in local newspapers, and several opinion pieces supporting the campaign and reflecting on the issue.
The group of activists submitted a written request to the Cabinet members referring specifically to the reform of Lebanon’s nationality code, as well as lifting reservations on section 2 of article 9 of CEDAW. The hope is that the request will effect the outcome of the ministerial declaration currently being written. The ministerial declaration, which is released at the beginning of each new government cycle to inform the public of the government’s plans and proposals, is expected to be released very soon.At the sit-in, an 8-year-old girl held a sign that read “My Mom is Lebanese and my Dad is Syrian. I want the Lebanese citizenship because I live here.” Other children held a sign that had a picture of a Lebanese passport and a slogan “The Lebanese passport for me as well” signed by children of Lebanese mothers and foreign fathers. Some foreign husbands of Lebanese women were also present and voiced their concern over their temporary status in Lebanon and discriminatory laws. “I want to travel and work to save money like every other Lebanese guy,” Ibrahim Sabbagh said. Many of the women said that their husbands and children have spent their entire lives in Lebanon, however they are unable to get a Lebanese identity card. “Why are women always second-class citizens? [With this demonstration] we are addressing the new government to take the demands of concerned women into consideration,” remarked Vera Hayek, the project officer at CRTD-A. Ms. Hayek is optimistic that this time women’s voices will be heard!
Entry Filed under: Countries, Lebanon, Activities, Events