UN Reiterates Syrian Refugees' Right to Return Home Amidst Crime Wave in Lebanon
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reminded Syrian refugees in Lebanon of their right to return home freely, amidst increasing calls for their removal following a series of crimes committed by Syrians.
The latest incidents include the killing of a Lebanese official from the Lebanese Forces Party, Pascal Suleiman, and the death of a Lebanese man, Yasser Al-Kokash, both at the hands of Syrian citizens.
Previous crimes involved Syrian refugees in intended robberies resulting in the death and injury of Lebanese citizens.
Syrian refugees began arriving in Lebanon in 2011, with over a million registered with the UNHCR.
However, after UNHCR registration stopped in 2015, illegal crossings increased, bringing the estimated refugee population to over 2 million.
About 35% of Lebanese prison inmates are Syrian detainees or convicts.
The Lebanese General Security has facilitated voluntary repatriation, but only a few thousand refugees have returned due to Syrian regime control over who can leave.
UNHCR supports the right of Syrian refugees to voluntarily return to their home country.
Most refugees want to return but are influenced by factors like safety, security, housing, and livelihoods.
UNHCR will work with Lebanese authorities to facilitate the repatriation process.
Lebanon is asking donors to help cover the costs of hosting Syrian refugees ahead of a Brussels Conference on Refugees.
Minister Ziad Makary stated that the illegal entry of Syrian refugees from Lebanon into Cyprpus has led to a diplomatic crisis.
He urged Syrians to return to Syria or go to a third country.
A proposed plan includes repatriation and the establishment of a National Emergency Authority to classify Syrians into three categories: UNHCR-registered refugees who can return to safe areas in Syria.
The text discusses three categories of Syrians in Lebanon: those registered as refugees and working, those registered as refugees looking to travel to a third country, and those residing illegally.
The Lebanese government is forming a committee to identify and address the illegal Syrian presence, and will control land borders to prevent economic infiltration.
A delegation from the Lebanese Forces met with the Interior Minister to push for the implementation of circulars addressing the illegal Syrian presence.
Samir Geagea, a Lebanese politician, estimated that there are approximately 830,000 Syrian refugees in northern Christian cities, Mount Lebanon, and Jezzine.
He believes that recently issued circulars will help reduce the refugee population quickly.
Geagea expressed that, according to the United Nations, Lebanon is not meant to be a country of asylum but a country of transit.
He stated that Lebanon has been accommodating refugees since 2011, but the country can no longer continue to do so.
Previous crimes involved Syrian refugees in intended robberies resulting in the death and injury of Lebanese citizens.
Syrian refugees began arriving in Lebanon in 2011, with over a million registered with the UNHCR.
However, after UNHCR registration stopped in 2015, illegal crossings increased, bringing the estimated refugee population to over 2 million.
About 35% of Lebanese prison inmates are Syrian detainees or convicts.
The Lebanese General Security has facilitated voluntary repatriation, but only a few thousand refugees have returned due to Syrian regime control over who can leave.
UNHCR supports the right of Syrian refugees to voluntarily return to their home country.
Most refugees want to return but are influenced by factors like safety, security, housing, and livelihoods.
UNHCR will work with Lebanese authorities to facilitate the repatriation process.
Lebanon is asking donors to help cover the costs of hosting Syrian refugees ahead of a Brussels Conference on Refugees.
Minister Ziad Makary stated that the illegal entry of Syrian refugees from Lebanon into Cyprpus has led to a diplomatic crisis.
He urged Syrians to return to Syria or go to a third country.
A proposed plan includes repatriation and the establishment of a National Emergency Authority to classify Syrians into three categories: UNHCR-registered refugees who can return to safe areas in Syria.
The text discusses three categories of Syrians in Lebanon: those registered as refugees and working, those registered as refugees looking to travel to a third country, and those residing illegally.
The Lebanese government is forming a committee to identify and address the illegal Syrian presence, and will control land borders to prevent economic infiltration.
A delegation from the Lebanese Forces met with the Interior Minister to push for the implementation of circulars addressing the illegal Syrian presence.
Samir Geagea, a Lebanese politician, estimated that there are approximately 830,000 Syrian refugees in northern Christian cities, Mount Lebanon, and Jezzine.
He believes that recently issued circulars will help reduce the refugee population quickly.
Geagea expressed that, according to the United Nations, Lebanon is not meant to be a country of asylum but a country of transit.
He stated that Lebanon has been accommodating refugees since 2011, but the country can no longer continue to do so.
Translation:
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Translated by AI
