Amnesty urges Lebanon against deporting refugees as Syria not safe
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A human rights organization urged on Monday Lebanon against deporting Syrian refugees en masse and to comply with international law, pointing out that Syria is not safe for return of refugees.
Amnesty International said on X platform (formerly Twitter) the Lebanese authorities’ so-called “voluntary returns for Syrian refugees is alarming given the coercive conditions refugees face in Lebanon.”
This came as Lebanon’s General Security prepares on Tuesday to deport two groups of Syrian refugees, totaling more than 300 people, from the town of Arsal in northeastern Lebanon towards Syrian territories, in coordination with the Syrian government.
“Lebanon has adopted a series of coercive regulations designed to pressure refugees to return, including restrictions on residency, labor and movement. Such conditions raise concerns about refugees’ ability to provide free and informed consent.”
Amnesty stressed Syria remains unsafe and shared a report documenting “torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention of refugees who returned to Syria” carried out by the Syrian government’s security forces.
The organization emphasized international law prohibits the “practice of ‘constructive’ refoulement,” which involves states using indirect methods to force individuals to return to a place where they would face severe human rights violations.
“In facilitating these returns, the Lebanese authorities are knowingly putting Syrian refugees at risk of serious human rights abuses. Lebanon should respect its obligations under international law and halt its plans to return Syrian refugees en-masse,” the organization pointed out.