22 April 2010, we support this rally:
IN A FIRST ACTION OF ITS KIND SINCE THE END OF
THE CIVIL WAR, A SECULAR RALLY FOR CITIZENSHIP IS BEING ORGANIZED IN LEBANON-
BEIRUT, On Sunday 25 April 2010.
Press release.
Lebanese Laïque Pride, a secular movement for citizenship
A group of Lebanese citizens are organizing a
rally on 25 April 2010 to call for the full implementation of article (c) of the
Lebanese Constitution's preamble: "Respect for the freedom of opinion and belief,"
"social justice," and "equality of rights and duties between all citizens
without discrimination or preference."
The objective of this initiative is to unite and render visible the efforts of
citizens and associations working towards a secular civil society.
The main claims of this movement relate to the Lebanese civil code for personal
status stipulating respect for human rights and equality between men and women;
strengthening of public education in the service of education for citizenship;
and securing equal opportunities in employment in the public sector based on
qualifications and competencies.
This collective initiative will not stop at these claims. The rally of April 25
is the starting point in a series of actions aimed at raising awareness on the
urgency of reflecting upon and conceptualizing a genuine Lebanese citizenship.
Among the activities planned for are conferences and debates in universities and
other cultural and mediatic frameworks.
Practical information:
The meeting will take place in Ain El Mraisse - Beirut facing the Abdel Nasser
statue, and the rally will depart from there at 11 am sharp in the direction of
the Lebanese Parliament.
Lebanse citizens in the Diaspora are invited to rally on the same day, at 11 am
(local time) in front of the closest Lebanese embassy or consulate.
.......................
Press contact:
Email: leblaique@gmail.com
http://lebanese-laique-pride.over-blog.com/
Kinda Hassan: +961 3 918853
Alexandre Paulikevitch: +961 70 185894
Par The Lebanese Laïque Pride
..............
Laïque Pride, a call for a secular rally for citizenship
Secular walk towards citizenship
We are Lebanese citizens seeking to live in
dignity, exercise our rights and duties with equality when dealing with co-citizens.
Empowered by rights, public and private liberties granted to us by the Lebanese
Constitution, we demand:
- non intervention of religious institutions in state affairs as much as the non
intervention of the state in citizens' freedom of worship;
- independence of people's representatives from any allegiance to religious
leaders and the sectarian system;
- laws respecting human rights and absolute equality between women and men;
- a Lebanese civil code for personal status;
- reinforcement of public education to promote citizenship values among coming
generations;
- securing equal opportunities in employment in the public sector based on
qualifications rather than religion, race or gender;
- an independent judiciary in charge of protecting citizens' rights in an
attempt to circumvent the unhealthy predominant social habit of resorting to the
power of kin-groups for backing.
On 25 April 2010, we will march for the first time for a "Secular Lebanon". Let
us prove our force on the ground and give a face to our demands.
The gathering will take place at Ayn El Mrayseh, and will head off to Parliament
Square at 11 AM sharp.
During the march, the only flag raised will be the Lebanese flag.
Lebanese in the Diaspora are invited to gather on the same day, 11.AM their
local time, in front of the nearest Lebanese Embassy or Consulate.
IMPORTANT: THIS IS AN INITIATIVE BY AN INDEPENDENT CITIZEN MOVEMENT THAT
ABSOLUTELY REFUSES TO BE HIJACKED BY POLITICS.
IN
A FIRST ACTION OF ITS KIND SINCE THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR, A SECULAR RALLY FOR
CITIZENSHIP IS BEING ORGANIZED IN LEBANON- BEIRUT, On Sunday 25 April 2010.
