Lebanon’s Deportation of Syrian Refugees Must Cease Immediately: Editorial

Lebanese Armed Forces Deport Syrian Refugees back to Syria, violating human rights

The recent summary deportation of hundreds of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Syria has caused concern among human rights organizations. Amnesty International, together with 20 national and international organizations, has condemned the surge of anti-refugee rhetoric in Lebanon and the increasing use of coercive measures meant to pressure the refugees to return. Organizations have documented that since April, the Lebanese Armed Forces have conducted discriminatory raids on the refugee’s homes and then summarily deported most of them. Some of them were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Refugees who were deported revealed that they were not given an opportunity to speak with a lawyer or the UNHCR, and their cases for protection and against deportation were not taken into consideration. Due to the deteriorating economic and political crisis in Lebanon, the situation facing Syrian refugees has become increasingly hostile.

According to the statement jointly issued by the organizations, Lebanon is a party to the Convention Against Torture and is therefore bound by the principle of non-refoulement, which means it cannot return individuals to a country where they may face torture or persecution. Under Lebanese law, deportation orders can only be issued by a judicial authority or the General Director of the General Security in extreme cases based on an individual assessment. Amnesty International and other organizations advocate that the Lebanese government stop conducting summary deportations to Syria that violate the principle of non-refoulement and impose discriminatory measures.

Situation of Refugees

Lebanon is host to approximately 1.5 million Syrians refugees who have sought asylum from the current war. The government of Lebanon has made it increasingly difficult for refugees to live peacefully and with basic human rights since they have become scapegoats for the country’s economic decline, said a statement from the organizations. The situation has become even worse due to the rise of anti-refugee rhetoric in Lebanon. Refugees are reported to live in fear of being deported or of being victims of attacks, according to testimonies collected by the organizations. Many of them have not left their homes in weeks, and they are anxious about the future, which appears bleak.

Human Rights Violations

The groups also stated that human rights organizations continue to document numerous violations committed against Syrian returnees, including children, at the hands of Syrian military and security forces. The report lists various types of violations such as arbitrary detention, torture, rape, sexual violence and enforced disappearance.

Conclusion

The refugee crisis in Lebanon has become a humanitarian crisis that needs urgent attention from the international community. The organizations advocate that all Lebanese authorities refrain from imposing discriminatory measures and using derogatory language against Syrian refugees and instead protect the rights of everyone in Lebanon, including refugees. It is high time that the Lebanese government comes up with constructive and practical policies to protect the basic human rights of all individuals in Lebanon in line with international humanitarian law. The international community should support Lebanon in meeting its obligations by stepping up its assistance, particularly its resettlement and alternative pathways programmes, to help Lebanon overcome the crisis and make its future less uncertain.

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