CCPR/C/LBN/CO/3

Lebanon (CCPR 09-05-2018)

The Committee considered the third periodic report of Lebanon (CCPR/C/LBN/3) at its 3460th and 3470th meetings (see CCPR/C/SR.3460 and 3470), held on 15 and 22 March 2018. At its 3482nd meeting, held on 3 April 2018, it adopted the present concluding observations.

Concluding observations

C. Principal matters of concern and recommendations

Discrimination and violence on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity

13. The Committee is concerned that, despite the information about court judgments holding that article 534 of the Criminal Code is not applicable to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals, such individuals continue to be arrested and prosecuted, including for sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex, under article 534 of the Criminal Code, which criminalizes “any sexual intercourse contrary to the order of nature”. It is also concerned about reports of the prevalence in society of discrimination, hate speech and homophobic attitudes; harassment, violence and extortion directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals; violations of their freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly; and the lack of protection against such acts (arts. 2, 7, 9, 14, 17, 19, 21 and 26).
14. The State party should explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals are afforded, both in law and in practice, adequate and effective protection against all forms of discrimination, hate speech or violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and that such acts are properly investigated, prosecuted and, if the perpetrators are convicted, punished with appropriate penalties. It should decriminalize sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex with a view to bringing its legislation into compliance with the Covenant and take all measures necessary to guarantee in practice the effective enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals.