On 9 December 2009, a criminal court judge (single judge) in Batroun sentenced a Lebanese woman who beat the Filipino maid who was working at her home to 15 days of prison, to a fine of fifty thousand Lebanese Pounds, and to payment to Jonalin Malibago, the Pilipino maid, of ten million and eight hundred Lebanese Pounds in compensation.
Al-Akhbar newspaper declared it “victory of the judiciary” and hailed it as an important step on the road to fighting racist behavior of some Lebanese. What gave the sentencing importance is the presence of the victim in her home country, the Philippine. The judge refused the request of the Lebanese woman to bring the victim in front of the court.
The case dates back to 2006 when the sentenced Lebanese employer brought her maid during the July War to the embassy of Philippine in Ashrafieh, where Filipino nationals were gathering for repatriation because of the absence of security. At the embassy, the Lebanese woman was attacked by embassy officials and other maids, which required the intervention of security officials. Why? Because the Lebanese woman (who’s initials are F. S.) had beaten Jonalin to push her to walk faster while carrying her luggage. Jonalin was taken to hospital after she had fainted. She showed signs of beating and black, blue and yellow bruises.
The medical report that was commissioned by the Beirut Appeals Prosecutor (Criminal prosecutor) from officially authorized doctors confirmed the presence of bruises all over the body of the plaintiff caused by direct shocks. The medical report noted that the she did not have blood diseases.
Between February 2006 and July 2006, Jonalin was working as a housemaid. During that period, her employer, the sentenced woman, took her to doctors, one of which wrote that she had a blood disease, a reduced rate of globins, and preparedness for Thalassemia. This justified the bruises.
The court decision went into medical detail: the average of globins of with Jonalin was 93000 and not 15000 to 30000 where bruises would appear on the limbs. Furthermore, the bruises were on the chest, the back and the head – not only on the limbs. The court decision added that foreign maids have medical checkups prior to beginning work in Lebanon, and would not have been allowed to work if she had diseases.
With the added photos of bruises taken by the officially authorized doctors, the court reached the conviction that the bruises were due to continuous beating by the Lebanese employer.
Jonalin had left Lebanon to the Philippines on August 16, 2006 and was given justice on December 9, 2009.
Note: this is a resume translation of Al-Akhbar’s article published December 12, 2009:
“المحكمة تعاقب لبنانية ضربت فيليبينية,” http://www.al-akhbar.com/ar/node/169038/
Originally published on Ethiopian Suicides.
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December 12, 2009
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bilal Houri, Migrant Rights. Migrant Rights said: Lebanese woman sentenced to prison for beating her Filipino maid http://is.gd/5l3Ft #MigrantRights [...]
December 12, 2009
As a lebanese i am deeply ashamed of the behavior of some ***holes who dare call themselves lebanese and beat on little girls who’ve traveled half the world for work. young ladies who come to work here should be treated with respect, they are not ‘servants’ they are employees and while i think the woman should’ve been forced to pay a larger sum of money to the young lady i think its a step in the right direction.
Maybe this will force other women to think twice before they treat their employes like slaves.
December 16, 2009
For that Lebanese woman, try to put this on your mind.
no person shall be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.
every person has a right to get an impartial and speedy justice.
and its good that justice was given for my fellow Filipino.
justice is for all!
December 25, 2009
[...] judicial system has taken a positive step towards justice, and in the beginning of this December, issued a ruling convicting a Lebanese citizen and imprisoning her for a period of 15 days and obliging her to pay [...]
December 26, 2009
[...] judicial system has taken a positive step towards justice, and in the beginning of this December, issued a ruling convicting a Lebanese citizen and imprisoning her for a period of 15 days and obliging her to pay [...]
January 2, 2010
[...] of suicides in October 2009, Nepal banned its women from working in Lebanon and a court in Lebanon sentenced an employer to a short prison sentence and a fine for abusing her maid. Domestic workers in Lebanon [...]
January 10, 2010
im a migrant worker i felt so angry when i read this article. mostly arabs they think that there maids are slaves. this arabs treat badly to there maids didnt give the salary of there maid. what kind of human being this people. migrants travelled thousand miles for work in return of hope that they can help their family back home. maltreatment of maids and workers only happen in the middle east. shame on those arabs treating inhuman praise to those arabs who appreciate the people working around them.
April 25, 2010
That was fair.I think we should keep it that justice manner regardless of race,religion etc.I am working here in Lebanon and my boss are good.
Can we first put in our mind that people are coming here to make an honest living?I was deeply hurt with these news because many Lebanese people are good,educated and treated foreign workers fairly while some are putting stain on the flag and faces of people of Lebanon.
We are brothers and Sisters and we can make a solution for this matter and live harmoniously if we just stop descriminating people.
we are commanded to “To love our neighbour as we love ourselves.”
Make a difference and start to look at love not on hatred.
On behalf of all filipino Workers here in Lebanon and the rest of the world,we thank you for being vigilant and open-minded for these catasrophies that encircling our lives.
We can cure this illness by spreading understanding,hope and a genuine love and care for people regardless of their race and religion.
PEACE.
April 25, 2010
Additional reaction to the treatment of some Arab people to their household workers rooted from their old culture which is not already applicable at the present time.
So,my message for them is this.To those who are really moved-on from the past by accepting education and not just relying their minds on their old tradition and beliefs..
“Friends, help your people to gain understanding that these world cannot function without the help of others.”
“Put your foot in our shoes and feel the pain ..then you will know how to feel the real feeling of human being.”
We are not angry because of that.. we feel sorry instead for you.
Because we do not think you know the meaning of love of service for people and country.
For some who are already enlighten.
Thank you from the heart of people who’s willing to give you an honesst service with real confidence that we could make your life easier.