Draft Law aiming at protecting Children from early marriages presented to the Parliament in Lebanon

Finally and after months of studies and meetings, the National Commission for Lebanese Women has presented to the Lebanese Parliament the Project Law (Draft Law) aiming at protecting children that are minors (less than 18 years old) from early marriages in Lebanon.

This draft law asks the amendment of article 483 of the penal code and makes the religious leader responsible of marriying children responsible of taking the approval of the Judge of the Juveniles prior to any tightening the knot of child brides or boys!

also the family of the children is made responsible of such marriages and mainly the “Wali” or the guardian/Tutor of the child that is getting married.

Also the draft law amends the competencies of the Judge of the Juvenile and the law of the Juveniles in Lebanon, obliging the guardians/tutor of minor children take the prior approval of the Judge of Juvenile for “special marriages”. The Judge will have to undertake a socio-economical analyse before giving his approval or denial of that right.

This Draft law that was presented by Member of Parliament Ghassan Moukheiber yesterday Monday 29 september 2014 at the Lebanese Parliament will now be studied by the Parliament Committees and than will go for a public vote on a General Assembly.

For me, as an activist working on that issue for so long, this is a first step, a huge step forward, all I aim for now is for the Parliament commissions to study the draft law, and Vote for it .

Children in Lebanon need protection from Marriage, from trafficking! this is a Step Forward!!

Hat for NCLW and for all those who are working from behind the scene toward protecting those vulnerable parties!

For those who wish to read the text of the draft law here it is:

Draft law protecting children from early marriage in Lebanon text of law as presented to the Lebanese Parliament -Rita Chemaly

Below is a infographic by Child not bride showing how early marriage impacts negatively the life of children and societies!

Rita Chemaly

Below is the press review of the draft law registration at the Lebanese Parliament on Monday 29 of september 2014: http://www.neswacafe.com/newsneswa1.php?go=fullnews&newsid=4255

http://www.alaraby.co.uk/society/0009743f-2aa4-416b-805c-dbeba0b00eed

http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/News/PoliticalNews/ar-LB/mkhayber-underage-marriage-zek-50.htm

مشروع قانون لتنظيم زواج القاصرين

http://www.assafir.com/Article/375347