Lebanon
| Right | Question | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The right to freedom of expression in Lebanon was initially asserted in the Lebanese Constitution adopted on May 23,1926, during the French Mandate following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after WWI. It continued to serve as the basis for the protection of civil liberties in the country post-independence (1943). Article 13 of the 1926 Lebanese Constitution states: “The freedom of opinion, expression through speech and writing, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association, are all guaranteed within the scope of the law.” References: "Lebanon 1926 (rev. 2004)," Constitute Project, accessed June 7, 2024, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Lebanon_2004 |
| Freedom of Association | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | - Freedom of association is protected under Chapter 1 Article 13 of the 1926 Lebanese Constitution which states: “The freedom of opinion, expression through speech and writing, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association, are all guaranteed within the scope of the law” (constituteproject.org). “Lebanon 1926 (Rev. 2004) Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 19, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Lebanon_2004. |
| Freedom of Religion | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The first assertion of freedom of religion in Lebanon was in their 1926 Constitution, ratified on May 23. Articles 9, 10, 19, and 22 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. (“The Lebanese Constitution”, 1926). 1926. The Lebanese Constitution. Lebanese Parliament. May 23. https://www.lp.gov.lb/backoffice/uploads/files/Lebanese%20%20Constitution-%20En.pdf. |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Under Article 21, every Lebanese citizen twenty-one years or older has the right to vote in public elections. Elections elect members to the Board of Deputies. (Constitute Project, Lebanon’s Constitution of 1926 with Amendments through 2004”). |
| Freedom of the Press | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Article 13 of Lebanon’s 1926 Constitution protects press freedom: “The freedom of opinion, expression through speech and writing, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association, are all guaranteed within the scope of the law" (Constitute Project, Lebanon’s Constitution of 1926 with Amendments through 2004”). |
| Privacy Rights | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The constitution provides no protections for general privacy rights. However, Article 14 does protect the inviolability of the home (Constitute Project, “Lebanon 1926 rev. 2004”). https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Lebanon_2004?lang=en |