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Law No. 205 to criminalize sexual harassment and for the rehabilitation of its victims. (قانون رقم 205 يرمي إلى تجريم التحرّش الجنسي وتأهيل ضحاياه ) -

Adoption: 2021-01-07 | Date d'entrée en vigueur: 2021-01-07 | LBN-2021-L-114675

The law is an advance by making sexual harassment a crime and outlining whistleblower protections.

The law defines sexual harassment as “any bad and repetitive behavior that is extraordinary, unwelcome by the victim, and with sexual connotation that constitutes a violation of the body, privacy, or emotions.” The law notes that sexual harassment can occur through speech, actions, and electronic means. The law also considers single or repeated acts that use, “psychological, moral, financial, or racist pressure to obtain benefits of sexual nature” as sexual harassment.

A positive aspect of the law is protection of victims from retaliation, including in pay, promotion, transfer, contract renewal, or disciplinary measures. The law contains whistleblower protections and prohibits discrimination, abuse, or disciplinary measures against people who report harassment or testify about the abuse. Such retaliation can be punished by up to 6 months in prison and a fine of 20 times the minimum wage.