Deputies Paula Yacoubian, Sami Gemayel, George Akis, Michel Douaihy, Fares Boustany, Mark Daou, Firas Hamdan, Bilal Abdullah, and Elias Gerada presented a unified personal status law in collaboration with the organization "Kafa" during a press conference held at the House of Representatives. Deputy Yacoubian stated: "As parliamentary blocs, we have proposed a unified personal status law so that one people can have one law. This matter has become very important in Lebanon more than ever. We know that there is religious and sectarian diversity in Lebanon; this law does not in any way prevent returning to the existing spiritual courts, but it binds all Lebanese to one law. Therefore, it is not optional but mandatory."
She continued: "We discussed with 'Kafa' and other organizations the possibility of going for an optional law, but we chose to pursue a mandatory law. We know the difficulties this law will face in the parliamentary bazaar. I hope that the Lebanese will consider if we remain with current laws and the situation of women and citizens and their suffering."
She clarified that "this law leads to national integration and truly reaches a people with civil rights without any differences. This law does not prevent anyone from practicing their faith as they wish, but it concerns our status as citizens and living together. I believe it will be a new dawn for Lebanon if it is approved."
For his part, the head of the Lebanese Phalanges Party, Deputy Gemayel, praised the unified personal status law proposal that was registered after he signed it along with other deputies in cooperation with Kafa, considering it aims to "modernize our social life towards true equality."
He said: "For more than 50 years, the Phalanges Party has proposed a civil marriage law, and today we renew our pledge and project that we have committed to the Lebanese with this law, which not only leads the country towards true citizenship but also protects women, men, and children from the abuse and violations they suffer."
He confirmed that "the Phalanges bloc and other deputies will work to transform this proposal into reality, knowing there will be significant confrontations against us," thanking "Kafa, with whom we have been working for a long time."
He added: "We hope to translate this unity present around this table into an achievement within the Parliament that will benefit all Lebanese." He clarified that "this law does not prevent anyone from marrying in a religious ceremony and living their faith at the same time, but in all cases, the Lebanese citizen must have guarantees provided for them by Lebanese law as a human and citizen with specific rights, regardless of their sect."
Gemayel emphasized "the importance of establishing a serious dialogue regarding this law," citing the Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi's previous statement that he "has no issues with optional civil marriage," pointing out that "the doors for discussion remain open, and the goal is for the Lebanese to win, not lose, and we are not eliminating anyone's right to religious marriage."
For his part, Akis stated, "I want to add that the proposal presented has nothing to do with politics or religion; it pertains to citizenship. I warn against demonizing this law; we are not provoking anyone. This proposal is to modernize the life of citizens and facilitate their lives, and we are not the first Arab country to take this step."
Deputy Boustany considered "this initiative important," wishing "for civil marriage law to become mandatory."
