Lebanon steps up arrests, torture and deportation of Syrians: Human Rights Watch

Lebanese authorities arbitrarily detained, tortured and deported Syrians in recent months, including activists who face increased risk upon return, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Thursday.

The rights organisation documented the deportation of a Syrian army defector and an opposition activist by the Lebanese Army and General Security Directorate.

HRW also documented the arrest and torture of a Syrian man by the Lebanese military intelligence after he participated in a solidarity protest for women in Gaza.

"Lebanese officials have for years imposed discriminatory practices against Syrians in the country as a way of coercing them to return to Syria, which remains unsafe," Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said.

Lebanese authorities have stepped up their rhetoric against the around 1.2 million Syrians living in Lebanon since 7 April after the killing of a Christian Lebanese Forces (LF) politician. The Lebanese Army claims that a group of Syrians carried out the killing.

Gangs of men have since begun beating up Syrians and carrying out what has been styled as vigilante justice, particularly in Christian areas of Lebanon.

Samir Geagea, the head of the LF, said on 20 April that "every citizen has the right to take the initiative" if the authorities do not address security issues related to Syrian refugees.

Lebanese politicians have since said that they are redoubling efforts to return Syrians to Syria, and the army has begun disbanding refugee camps and deporting Syrians who do not have valid residencies.

According to Lebanese law, deportation requires an order by a judge.

Syrian refugees registered with the UN and once held valid residency told The New Arab that Lebanese General Security had either delayed or rejected the renewal of their residency papers.

In one case, authorities in March ordered opposition activist Jumaa Lehib to leave Lebanon despite being registered with the UN.

According to the UN refugee agency, 13,772 individuals were deported or pushed back to Syria from Lebanon in 2023. The agency added that at least 27 municipalities in Lebanon placed restrictions on Syrians' ability to reside there.

Rights groups have consistently documented abuses committed against Syrians who return to Syria at the hands of regime security forces, including sexual abuse, torture and murder.

Deporting people to areas where they face a credible fear of torture or other dangers is illegal under the UN Convention Against Torture.