Lebanon: Update to LBN30046.E of 14 September 1998 on the treatment of persons in a mixed marriage (Druze/Orthodox Christian); whether the Druzes are mistreated in Lebanon (2002-November 2004)

Little information on the treatment of persons in a mixed marriage and on the treatment of the Druzes in Lebanon could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints for this Response. However, the following information could be useful.

Agence France Presse (AFP) indicated that a group of 10 Lebanese lawmakers "proposed a legal reform to allow couples from different religions to be married" in Lebanon (18 Mar. 2002). In 2002, mixed marriages were prohibited, forcing people from different religions to get married outside Lebanon and to register their union upon returning to the country (AFP 18 Mar. 2002). In addition, the International Religious Freedom Report 2004 by the United States Department of State indicated that, in 2004, civil marriage procedures did not exist, but that wedding ceremonies performed outside the country were later recognized in Lebanon (15 Sept. 2004, Sect. 2). An editorial in the daily The Daily Star pointed out the difficulty of accepting marriages between people from different religions (16 Apr. 2004). No information corroborating that difficulty could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

An article on a Druze, which is posted on the American Jewish Committee Web site, indicated that the Druze religion does not permit non-Druzes to convert (AJC n.d.). Although Islam permits conversion and, in order for a child to be considered Muslim, his or her father must be Muslim, in the Druze religion, both parents must be Druze in order for a child to be considered Druze (ibid.). Consequently, a child whose mother is Muslim and whose father is Druze would be neither Druze nor Muslim, and could only become Muslim by converting to Islam (ibid.).

An assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine, who is also an anthropologist specializing in Lebanese culture, provided the following information based on her experience of life in Lebanon, in 8 November 2004 correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.

Although the assistant professor had no information on marriages between Druze and Orthodox Christians, she nevertheless pointed out that, generally, the consequences of marriages between people from different religions really depend on the families involved. While some families are accepting of these marriages, others cut off all ties with the couple. "Druze families are 'known' to be especially strident in their emphasis on endogamous marriage (meaning only marrying other Druze)." Being disowned by one's family can have serious consequences in Lebanon, given the importance of family networks to a person's economic survival. The assistant professor also indicated that the consequences of mixed marriages can often be less serious for men than for women; "women may face violent reprisals."

The assistant professor indicated that she was unaware of any specific incidents of mistreatment or discriminatory practices against the Druzes in Lebanon (8 Nov. 2004). However, she indicated that, as a minority in Lebanon, the Druze community is at a political, economic and social disadvantage because the social networks "favour co-religionists" (assistant professor 8 Nov. 2004). An assistant professor specializing in the Druzes indicated that she was unaware of any incidents of mistreatment or discriminatory practices faced by the Druzes in Lebanon (14 Nov. 2004).

The assistant professor specializing in the Druzes stated that if a Druze marries a Christian, they could both be ostracized and marginalized by their community, and this could have very serious consequences if the couple works in town (14 Nov. 2004).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 18 March 2002. "Couples from Different Religions Should be Allowed to Marry: Lebanese MPs." (NEXIS)

The American Jewish Committee (AJC). n.d. "The Brooklyn Bridge Shooting." [Accessed 5 Nov. 2004]

Assistant professor of anthropology and specialist in Lebanese culture, University of California, Irvine. 8 November 2004. Correspondence.

Assistant professor specializing in the Druzes, Cypress College, Cypress, California. 14 November 2004. Correspondence.

International Religious Freedom Report 2004. 14 September 2004. "Lebanon." United States Department of State, Washington, DC. [Accessed 5 Nov. 2004]

The Daily Star [Beirut]. 16 April 2004. Tara Farouqui. "Would You Let Religion or Culture Stand in the Way of Love?" [Accessed 5 Nov. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

Attempts to contact five professors and one specialist on Lebanon were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Arabic News, The Economist, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Freedom House, Haaretz, L'Orient-Le Jour, La Revue du Liban, World News Connection (WNC).