'We are afraid these signals are only the beginning of further attempts to restrict the individual, civil and political rights of LGBTQ people.'
Lebanon's LGBTIQ+ community says it has been targeted by a crackdown that has seen queer activists harassed and Pride gatherings cancelled.Lebanon's LGBTIQ+ community, long among the most vocal and visible in the Middle East, has been targeted by a crackdown that has seen queer activists harassed and Pride gatherings cancelled.
The ministry argued that LGBTIQ+ events violate customs, traditions and "principles of religion" in Lebanon, where political power is split along faith lines between Shiite and Sunni Muslim, Christian, Druze and other groups.Lebanon's LGBTIQ+ community scored success in 2018 when a court ruled that same-sex conduct is not unlawful, but since then it has seen more setbacks than victories.
But the latest decision, he said, "is really exacerbating that feeling of anxiety and that feeling of fear living in Lebanon". Rasha Younes of Human Rights Watch called it "definitely the most general ban we have seen in recent years", adding that it lacked any legal framework and set "a dangerous precedent".Activists now report receiving phone calls from state security officers" inviting them for a chat over coffee and making it clear that they are monitoring their social media accounts", Ms Younes said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Teenager saves baby from shipwreck during Mediterranean crossing‘I am a good swimmer and I went to help people,’ says 17-year-old from Togo, who was among survivors rescued after nine days at sea
Read more »
Switzerland resists Ukrainian plan to seize frozen Russian assetsPresident says violating property rights would set dangerous precedent and needed legal justification
Read more »
'I walked out with my bag above my head': PM and NSW premier meet with flood victimsMore than 6000 people have been told to evacuate their homes in the NSW Hunter region. More than 50 evacuation warnings affect 85,000 people in NSW.
Read more »
Lessons from a Barty belting fuelling confident Tomljanovic's Wimbledon chargeA year on from a chastening defeat to Ash Barty, Ajla Tomljanovic says she is more confident and prepared for a second straight crack at a Wimbledon quarter-final.
Read more »
Truckies sweat on Labor plan to avoid another AdBlue debacleThe government says Australia is tapping non-Chinese markets for supplies of the critical additive, after supplies reached a critical shortage before Christmas.
Read more »
At least 36 detained after Turkish police teargas Pride march in AnkaraAt least 36 people have been detained after Turkish police used teargas to disperse a Pride march in the capital, Ankara. Although homosexuality isn't a crime in the country, authorities have cracked down on LBGTIQ+ marches. Read more:
Read more »