Lebanese politicians pass law allowing child abuse

Share:

Abuse-stop-child-abuse-28564872-765-540The Lebanese parliament refused on Thursday to cancel a law that allows parents to physically chastise their children, the National News Agency reported.

The suggestion to cancel the law was submitted by Change and Reform bloc MP Simon Abi Ramia and was refused by most of the MPs that were present at the session.

Thirty-six MPs voted against Abi Ramia’s suggestion, and 34 MPs supported.

However, MPs agreed to amend the law and adopt the version suggested by Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Ali Fayyad.

“The law allows non-violent [physical and verbal] chastisement inflicted on children by fathers and mothers, provided that it does not leave any impact on their psychological and physical health,” the new law reads.

Future MPs Ahmad Fatfat, Ghazi Youssef, Jamal al-Jarrah, Lebanese Forces MPs George Adwan and Elie Keyrouz, Kataeb bloc MPs Sami Gemayel and Nadim Gemayel as well as Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Nawwaf al-Moussawi were among the parliamentarians who supported Abi Ramia’s suggestion.

Among the MPs who refused it were Boutros Harb, Nicolas Fattoush, Emil Rahme, Estephan Doueihi, Walid Succariyeh as well as Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

Share: