The Lebanese government plans to revoke the refugee status of anyone leaving Lebanese territory, in light of the deportation of dozens of Syrians to areas controlled by the Syrian regime.
Hector Hajjar, Minister of Social Affairs of the Lebanese interim government, called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to forward the files of all types of Syrian refugees to the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities within a maximum of one day. week, “provided that refugee (refugee) status is reduced for each person leaving Lebanese territory.”
Hagar urged countries to share with Lebanon “in bearing the brunt of the displacement of Syrians, especially as the number of IDPs increases in light of the intensification of the economic crisis”.
Hajjar urged the security forces to strictly monitor violators and prevent the illegal entry of Syrians, and urged the Ministries of Interior and Municipalities and Social Affairs to “fulfill legal requirements for registering Syrian births on Lebanese soil”. According to the “bulletin”, in coordination with UNHCR.
In response, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon expressed its “serious concern” over reports of forced deportation of Syrian refugees from Lebanon, stressing that it is following up with the relevant parties.
Based on information and reports from refugees, UNHCR said it was aware of at least 13 confirmed raids, noting that it noticed an “increase in the number of raids” against Syrians in both Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon.
According to the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, the Commission noted that it received reports of Syrians who were subsequently detained for deportation to Syria, “including known Syrian refugees already registered”.
He added that he takes reports of the deportation of Syrian refugees very seriously and follows up with relevant stakeholders in Lebanon.
UNHCR called for “respecting the principles of international law and ensuring that refugees in Lebanon are protected against forced return to their homes”.
In response, Amnesty International urged the Lebanese government to stop forcibly deporting Syrian refugees to their country.
The organization said it was feared that deportees would be “at risk of torture or persecution at the hands of the Syrian regime when they return”.
