Coordinator of the Office of Refugee Affairs in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salim Idris, has expressed concern over the recent request for Syrian refugees in the town of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon, to update their personal data upon the request of the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities. He fears that this announcement primarily aims to impose further restrictions on Syrian refugees residing in the town.
Idris remarked that this action is reminiscent of the declarations of racial segregation that were abolished in the United States in 1946. He emphasized that preventing Syrians from going out between the hours of 8 PM and 5 AM is inappropriate for a country like Lebanon, which was once a symbol of freedom in the Middle East, as well as for the Lebanese people themselves.
Furthermore, Idris highlighted that the municipality of Bint Jbeil publicly made this announcement. He stressed that demanding proof of identity without reasonable justification and engaging in discriminatory practices by a government entity based on an individual’s group affiliation fall within the realm of institutional racism.
The municipality of Bint Jbeil in Lebanon issued a public announcement on Tuesday, calling for the update of personal data for all Syrian refugees in the town. In addition, the municipality imposed a curfew on Syrian refugees from 8 PM to 5 AM.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
