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Committee: Human Rights Topic: Freedom of Expression Country: Lebanon Delegate: Leyla Alqawasmy

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Committee: Human Rights Topic: Freedom of Expression Country: Lebanon Delegate: Leyla Alqawasmy

Uploaded by

galaxysleepy1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Committee: Human Rights

Topic: Freedom of Expression


Country: Lebanon
Delegate: Leyla ALQawasmy

Lebanon, a parliamentary democratic country located in Western Asia, has taken


unexpected positive measures in the area of concern towards freedom of expression. Freedom
of expression is the political right to allow individuals to express themselves without
government interference or regulation. It is classified as a human right power enshrined in
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that "everyone
shall have the right to hold opinions without interference."
The government is trying to regulate the freedom of expression by controlling
widespread propaganda and corruption to protect its citizens. The Head of the Beirut Bar
Association, Nader Gaspard, stated freedom of expression had been taken out of control to
cause cases of defamation, libel, slander, insults and fake news. Citizens are generally free to
criticize and are provided the opportunity to express themselves, but there are regulations due
to journalists being held responsible for erroneous and false news. The government of Lebanon
controls journalism to spread propaganda, insults, and offense to the government. By arresting
those journalists who don't obey the law, Lebanon continues to protect its citizens from the
unaware disinformation they spread. For instance, the case of Hanin Ghaddar is convicted for
spreading insults to the Lebanese military, calling them "thugs."
Lebanon is perceived to be one of the freest in the Arab world because of its diversity in
religion, culture, and languages. Lebanon has the freedom of assembly and the right to protest,
the freedom of the press, and digital and artistic liberties, as stated in Paragraph 2 of Article 19.
Indeed, there are limitations to all these privileges. Lebanon limits freedom of expression to
keep the country secure and appropriate. "If we allow nudity to be showcased in a work of art,
then we'd be giving exhibitionists license to roam free in the streets." Author Krystel Antoni
writes. The government benefits from these limitations by giving children safer audiences and
censors the freedom of unnecessary activities folks might engage in. It has brought more
assurance to parents and concerned citizens.
In conclusion, freedom of expression is a privilege that is necessary to be given.
However, the right to express yourself freely should be constrained in a country like Lebanon,
where freedom of speech is applicable but with several limitations to protect their reputation,
privacy, and the country's defamation. Furthermore, Lebanon will implement specific pursuits
considered unsuitable for its citizens, especially adolescents.
Works Cited:
Freedom of speech and censorship. Freethought Lebanon. (2022, September 14).
https://www.freethoughtlebanon.net/freedom-of-speech-and-censorship/

New coalition to defend free speech in Lebanon. Maharat Foundation. (n.d.).


https://maharatfoundation.org/en/coalitiontodefendfreespeech

Lebanon: Proposed media law poses grave threat to freedom of expression. MENA Rights
Group. (2023, November 28). https://www.menarights.org/en/articles/lebanon-proposed-
media-law-poses-grave-threat-freedom-expression

U.S. Department of State. (2023, March 20). Lebanon – united states department of state. U.S.
Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-
practices/lebanon/#:~:text=The%20constitution%20provides%20for%20freedom,government
%20generally%20respected%20this%20right

Ibrahim, A. (2020, August 20). Coalition formed to defend free speech in Lebanon. Executive
Magazine. https://www.executive-magazine.com/last-word-2/coalition-formed-to-defend-free-
speech-in-lebanon

Lebanon and freedom of speech. PEN/Opp. (2021, August 20).


https://www.penopp.org/articles/lebanon-and-freedom-speech?language_content_entity=en

Browne, Gareth 2021 ‘Lebanese journalist convicted of ‘insulting Army’’ The


National Available at: https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/mena/lebanese-journalist-
convicted-of-insulting-army-1.696649 Accessed 30.11.2023

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