Lebanon’s Controversial Approach to Syrian Deportations: Examining the Armed Forces’ Role

Lebanon‘s Armed Forces Accused of Summary Deportations of Syrians

Summary

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have been accused of summarily deporting thousands of Syrians, including unaccompanied children, back to Syria between April and May 2023, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch. The report states that deported Syrians said the LAF gave no consideration to their refugee status or fears of persecution if returned. The summary deportations have intensified since the beginning of the year and have targeted Syrians without legal status across Lebanon. Donor governments funding Lebanon‘s military should urge Lebanese authorities to halt such deportations and ensure that provided funds do not contribute to rights violations.

Background

Lebanon currently hosts over 1.5 million Syrian refugees, making it the country with the highest population of refugees per capita in the world. These refugees have fled the war in Syria since 2011 and are facing an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon. According to the report, 90 percent of Syrian refugees in Lebanon live in extreme poverty. The situation has worsened since January 2015 when the General Directorate of General Security imposed restrictive and costly residency renewal regulations, effectively barring many refugees from maintaining their legal status in the country.

The Situation

The report by Human Rights Watch reveals that the LAF has been conducting raids, arbitrary arrests, and summary deportations of Syrians. Syrians in Lebanon are living in constant fear of being picked up and sent back to Syria, regardless of their refugee status. The deportations have been carried out without giving deportees the opportunity to challenge their deportation or provide evidence of their refugee status to the authorities. Some deportees have reported abusive treatment during their deportation, including beatings, threats, sexual harassment, and degrading treatment.

Syrians who have been deported have faced severe consequences upon their return to Syria. Some have been detained by the Syrian military, subjected to torture, and forcibly conscripted into the Syrian military reserve force. The LAF’s summary deportations are not only in breach of Lebanese law but also violate Lebanon‘s obligations as a party to the UN Convention Against Torture and under the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forcible return of individuals to countries where they face a clear risk of torture or persecution.

Recommendations

Human Rights Watch has called on donor governments supporting Lebanon‘s military to press the Lebanese authorities to halt the summary deportations of Syrians. Donor governments should also develop a public human rights impact assessment and ensure that funding does not contribute to or perpetuate human rights violations.

Furthermore, Lebanese authorities should reform residency regulations, reintroduce UNHCR registration, waive residency renewal fees, and end the practice of detaining and deporting refugees based on expired residency documents. These changes will protect refugees’ rights and promote stability in Lebanon by preventing Syrian refugees from being driven into destitution.