A Petition to Protect Freedom of Speech in Lebanon

Mr. President, Prime Minister, Members of the Cabinet and Elected Members of the Chamber of Deputies;

We the undersigned, Lebanese citizens , submit the following Resolution for your immediate consideration.

Whereas Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

And whereas article 13 of the Lebanese Constitution states: "The freedom to express one's opinion orally or in writing, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, and the freedom of association are guaranteed within the limits established by law."

And whereas Lebanon is an original signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a member of the Commission of Human Rights at the United Nations that was established to shephered the International Bill of Rights

It is hereby resolved that the accusations and pending charges against the four individuals accused maliciously and unfairly of libel against the President of the Republic Michel Suleiman be summarily dropped. And furthermore the legislative branch is hereby asked to abrogate the law under which said accusation was carried out since such law is inimical to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.