Sectarianism

First - The status quo:

1. The sectarian political system has proven its inability to induce citizenship and stability - not to mention the violence it has created and has contributed to the exacerbation of corruption, to the dissolution of accountability and liability, and of an effective government.
2. Most of the Lebanese people are convinced of the need to change this system, but sectarianism has become part of their culture and a barrier they fear to overcome.
3. The sectarian political system has resulted in quotas being distributed among politicians, and in dependencies to foreign countries in matters of paramount importance.

Second - The principles:

1. A civil state is the only path to reshape a modern, productive and fair state that preserves the right to have different democratic standpoints and to accept others. In this context, the Lebanese National Bloc Party sought to contribute to the establishment of a civil state in 1951 by submitting the optional civil marriage draft law.
2. A civil state is based on a social contract between the citizens who share a common vision and common values ​​when it comes to living together. Previous arrangements between the Lebanese sects have failed to produce political and economic stability in the country.
3. It is unacceptable to replace citizens’ rights with slogans about sectarian rights since sects are moral entities at the service of people and not vice versa. Sects’ exploitation politically by influential people for clientelism must come to a definite end. As for citizens, they have inalienable rights such as human, civil, economic and social rights.
4. Sectarianism provides no guarantees to the Lebanese people. Citizenship, law, and justice, on the other hand, safeguard people’s beliefs, freedom, and dignity.
5. Lebanon was established on the concept of unifying citizenship and the prioritization of the public interests over that of any individual or group.

Third - The vision:

1. Instilling and disseminating citizenship through politics and suitable political practices.
2. Laying the foundations for a civil state, by passing laws and developing a roadmap to eliminate political sectarianism, while simultaneously developing educational programs in schools to raise awareness on the disadvantages of a sectarian system and the importance of developing a sense of belonging to the nation; and that sectarian affiliation is a private matter, and thus, citizenship becomes the first identity, as the Lebanese constitution stipulates.

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