Lebanese authorities have warned Syrians residing “illegally” in several towns to evacuate their homes.
Two Lebanese MPs, along with security forces and other officials, participated in enforcing a decision by the Ministry of Interior and the Governor of North Lebanon. This decision mandated an ultimatum for the evacuation of Syrian refugees from the northern town of Batram in the Koura district.
On June 7, 2024, Koura deputies Georges Atallah and Fadi Karam, the Governor of North Lebanon Judge Ramzi Nohra, Koura Mayor Catherine Kfoury Angol, President of the Federation of Koura Municipalities Rabih Ayoubi, and Batram Mayor Haitham Sarhan were joined by the Free Patriotic Movement’s Koura Coordinator Ghassan Karam, several security officials, and local mayors on an executive tour to oversee the implementation.
Governor Ramzi Nohra instructed the Internal Security Forces to conduct a thorough survey of camps and warn “illegal” residents and law violators that they must vacate their homes within one week.
Security patrols issued evacuation orders to around 300 Syrians in the town of Batram, warning that if the refugees failed to comply by the deadline, authorities would proceed with sealing their homes with red wax.
In recent months, Lebanese politicians have intensified calls for the repatriation of Syrian refugees, despite Human Rights Watch stating that the situation in Syria remains unsafe for return.
In a report published on April 25, 2024, Human Rights Watch detailed the illegal deportation of Syrians from Lebanon, along with incidents of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. The report documented cases of forced returns, emphasizing the Lebanese authorities’ role in these human rights violations.
The United Nations, in a report published on March 8, 2024, stated it was aware of the deportation or expulsion of 13,772 individuals from Lebanon to Syria in 300 separate incidents in 2023, including 600 deportations on a single day, November 8, 2023.
In response to the UN report, the Lebanese Forces stated that Lebanon is detaining or repatriating Syrians who are illegally residing in the country or are involved in criminal activities. On June 2, 2024, Lebanese Justice Minister Henry al-Khoury highlighted that 36% of Lebanon’s prison population consists of Syrians, adding that what he referred to as “Syrian expansion” threatens the survival of the Lebanese state.
On May 14, 2024, Lebanon’s General Directorate of General Security relaunched two “voluntary return” flights for Syrian refugees, repatriating 300 people.
Lebanon refers to Syrians in its territory as “displaced persons” rather than refugees.
International law prohibits “constructive” refoulement, a situation where states indirectly force individuals to return to a country where they face a real risk of serious human rights violations.
Same Justice Human Rights has called for the full implementation of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. These international agreements, ratified by 149 countries, define the rights of refugees and the obligations of states to protect them.
A key principle of the 1951 Convention is non-refoulement, which asserts that no refugee should be returned to a country where they face a serious threat to their life or freedom. This principle is now recognized as part of customary international law.
