Inaya Ezzedine, head of the Committee for Women and Children, confirmed her ongoing communication with the Ministry of Interior, which has taken charge of the case concerning the arrest of the "TikTok" network through the Cyber Crime Unit, as well as with the Ministries of Justice and Social Affairs. She stated that she would call for the relevant ministers to listen to their updates on this case and demanded accountability for those responsible for the crime, advocating for severe penalties against them.
In an interview with Al-Hurra channel, Ezzedine noted that a number of children have been encouraged to speak out about being victims of this gang after news of the arrest of network members spread, and that the actual number may be larger than known. She indicated that this network appears to be multi-faceted and not confined to Lebanon, suggesting the possible existence of other networks engaging in similar crimes.
Ezzedine raised concerns, stating, "There are question marks regarding the negligence observed in pursuing this network and others, especially since it has been active for years, as is well-known to all, and the judiciary is conducting investigations to uncover more details." When asked about the role of the parliament in this matter, she replied, "Today we are obliged to review the legislative portfolio to ensure that penalties and fines are adequate and suitable and that the texts are aligned with global procedures regarding this issue."
She announced that she had submitted a draft law regarding the protection of children online in 2020, and she would continue to follow up on this proposal in the Administration and Justice Committee, emphasizing that the parliament has a role in providing a preventive and supervisory legislative environment.
Ezzedine called for the enforcement of legal provisions dealing with cases of harassment, rape, sexual exploitation, prostitution, and human trafficking, especially after laws in Lebanon have been amended to include these crimes on online platforms, with penalties being intensified and judicial powers widened to act even in the absence of a complaint against the perpetrator.
She argued that major companies producing digital platforms should be required to supply states with programs and technologies to monitor pages used by children and minors, and highlighted the role of parents in monitoring how their children use digital platforms and ensuring their protection. She also stated that the capability of the Ministry of Interior and the Cyber Crime Unit should be enhanced to identify the sources of these networks and track their members.
Regarding her stance on calls to block the "TikTok" app in Lebanon, Ezzedine said, "The solution is not to ban TikTok, especially with other pages and apps that allow the dissemination of sexual or inappropriate content," questioning, "Should we ban all websites or establish controls and punitive measures?"
