The Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) has reported a surge in arbitrary arrests and forced deportations of Syrian refugees in Lebanon by the local authorities. According to the rights group, these incidents have been on the rise over the past three months, sparking concerns that the trend may persist following the UNHCR’s decision to share refugee data with the Lebanese government.
The ACHR disclosed that from the beginning of 2023 until September, 943 cases of arbitrary arrest were documented. However, from January to December 2023, the number escalated to 1,027, indicating an 84-case increase in arbitrary arrests during this period. Forced deportations, as reported by the center, reached 708 individuals by September and rose to 761 by December, signifying a spike of 53 cases during the same timeframe.
Ahmed Bakkoura, the Coordinator of the refugees and displaced persons working group in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), emphasized ongoing communication with the United Nations and international organizations to address the plight of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Bakkoura strongly urged an immediate cessation of arrests and deportations, branding them as blatant violations of human rights. Furthermore, he called upon the United Nations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to intervene and safeguard the safety and security of Syrian refugees by opposing any forced repatriation attempts.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
