Lebanon continues to be an example of religious diversity in the region

Make fundamental rights and freedoms the heart of the Lebanese democracy

1. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion includes freedom to change ones religion or belief; and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest ones religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance
2. Freedom of religion includes freedom from religion and protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs

1. V132 in WVS: Democracy: Religious authorities interpret the laws;
2. Perception on religious freedom
3. WJP Rule of Law Index (Factor 4)

1. Religious leaders are treated as representatives of their sects and are given powers over religious and civil affairs
2. Religious leaders do not exist in isolation from politics, they are products of and selected by elite institutions, not by popular mandate
3. Constitutional provision for allocating political offices according to religious affiliation is viewed as discriminatory
4. Some religious groups do not enjoy official recognition, such as Bahá'ís, Buddhists, Hindus, and unregistered Protestant Christian groups
5. Unrecognized religious groups are disadvantaged under the law in that their members do not qualify for certain government positions
6. Unrecognized religious groups are disadvantaged under the law because legally they may not marry, divorce, or inherit property in the country

1. The powers of religious authorities;
2. Absence of right not to profess any religion or belief;
3. Formal recognition by the Government is a legal requirement for religious groups to conduct most religious activities;
4. An individual may change religions if the head of the religious group the person wishes to join approves of this change
5. A number of members of unregistered religious groups are recorded under the recognized religions
6. Discrimination based on religion is built into the system of government
7. The "Committee for Abolishing Confessionalism," called for in the Taif Accord, has not yet been formed

1. "National Pact" of 1943 stipulates that the president, prime minister, and speaker of parliament be Maronite Christian, Sunni Muslim, and Shi'a Muslim, respectively;
2. 1989 Taif Agreement called for the eventual elimination of political sectarianism in favor of "expertise and competence;" however, little progress has been made in this regard
3. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion and the freedom to practice all religious rites provided that public order is not disturbed;
4. The Constitution provides that Lebanese Christians and Muslims be represented equally in Parliament, the Cabinet, and high-level civil service positions, which include the ministry ranks of Secretary General and Director General;
5. Article 473 of the Penal Code stipulates a maximum prison term of 1 year for anyone convicted of "blaspheming God publicly."

1. Strengthening of  the freedom of belief literacy  among diplomats, international NGOs, government representatives, judges and lawyers, local NGOs and religious leaders (Service provision);
2. Recognize non-dominant religions and establish a legal framework detailing their rights (I. C.);
3. Move article 473 of the Penal Code criminalizing the public blasphemy of God to the Civil Code (I. C.);