Lebanese General Security Forces have forcibly returned hundreds of refugees to Syria, setting a dangerous precedent.
The American Coalition for Syria (ACS) is deeply concerned by media reports of 751 cases of forced repatriation of Syrian refugees by the Lebanese government, in direct violation of international norms and conventions that protect refugees from refoulement. ACS calls on the Biden administration to engage with the Lebanese government to ensure its compliance with its non-refoulement obligations under international law.
Earlier in October, outgoing Lebanese President Michel Aoun announced the Lebanese government’s intention to deport Syrian refugees. Human rights and humanitarian groups have reported that the Lebanese government is using elements of coercion to ‘convince’ refugees to return to regime-held areas where they will face death, detention, and further displacement. The Lebanese government is acting in contravention of international agreements and United Nations exhortations, which has deemed Syria not safe for refugee return.
Earlier in October, outgoing Lebanese President Michel Aoun announced the Lebanese government’s intention to deport Syrian refugees. Human rights and humanitarian groups have reported that the Lebanese government is using elements of coercion to ‘convince’ refugees to return to regime-held areas where they will face death, detention, and further displacement. The Lebanese government is acting in contravention of international agreements and United Nations exhortations, which has deemed Syria not safe for refugee return.
Refugees are some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. They have fled war, famine, and violence. Syrian refugees face staggering rates of xenophobia and discrimination, and 90% of them live in extreme poverty. This latest scheme by the Lebanese government to use refugees as a scapegoat will have real, lasting consequences on hundreds of lives
Mirna Barq, ACS spokeswoman.
The American Coalition for Syria calls on the U.S. government to work to stop this dangerous precedent and pressure the Lebanese government, a beneficiary of generous US assistance, to immediately halt deportations of vulnerable refugees.
