Amendments on laws related to honor killings in Lebanon proposed by Kataeb MP Sami Gemayel on the 8th of May 2011 were accepted yesterday. This is quite the achievement as those laws were truly insulting to all Lebanese, not just its women.
The old law basically stated that if a man were to surprise his wife or one of his female relatives in bed with someone, and committed a crime against them, it would not be considered as a first degree murder but an “honor killing” and would receive a lower sentence. If you want to read more on the matter check [Here]
I don’t know why this didn’t get a lot of media coverage even though it is a major step forward in modernizing our archaic laws on women rights in Lebanon.
Nevertheless, congrats to all the Lebanese women!
…. not just ‘their’ women? 😉
Fixed 🙂
So if i catch my wife in bed with someone, i cant shoot them and walk free anymore?…. that’s going to complicate things for many men LOL…because the only thing that was standing between a woman fornicating and committing adultery was the utter disgust that her husband will walk free once he guns or beats her down… As if some women weren’t doing it already despite the archaic laws.
but in any case, it will still be a crime of passion and fueled by utter rage and cannot be considered 1st degree unless the dude is planning it…. the above stated law (now changed) only worked if the issue happens by surprise and the assault/killing is a reaction of that…
A man that suspects his wife and plans to kill her once she gets in bed with her better third in their ‘marital bed’, mind you, will be convicted of 1st degree murder, not an honor killing.
I’m not defending the law, but even though archaic, you never could just go on plan on killing people. kind of like self defense, you can’t dupe someone into an argument, and then kill him in self defense.
Ronman,
I think the biggest problem here is religious courts and mainly Islamic ones. Honor killings as shown in the study are most widespread among Muslims since they are “allowed” under Islam or at least interpreted the wrong way.
Unless Muslim religious leaders issued a fatwa or ban this sort of killing, nothing is gonna stop religious Muslim men from doing it.
So I dont know if this law can be really put into effect as it will clash with religious courts.
“Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah issues fatwa against honor killings 8/2007”
Najib. Done!
Jeff,
Who listens to Fadlallah?
Najib,
You asked and I answered.
Now; I can tell you no one can listen to him as he is in the grave; last time I checked. 😀
Fadlallah does not even represent the Shiite community as the political parties representing it don’t listen to him. and This fatwa does not cover the Muslim Sunnite community as well.
So your answer is vague and unconvincing 😛
Najib,
I will try on my next meeting with the leaders of the sects and political parties to convince them of satisfying your parameters. I will make sure every Muslim sect issue a fatwa.:P
Tres bien Jeff. You make me proud.
Najib, i agree with your point, but we are a republic ruled by a constitution. Religious laws should not apply within our territories.
But alas, does anyone give a crap?
At least we don’t have puritans as a sect in Lebanon, or we’d have a bunch of ladies running around with A’s stitched to their chests or foreheads. not sure what the letter is for the Male counterpart.