Human Rights Watch: Lebanese Residency Laws Put Syrians at Risk

Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday that Lebanese residency laws are putting Syrian refugees in danger, arguing that the policies "set the stage for a potentially explosive situation."

The regulations, adopted a year ago, have forced refugees to either return to Syria, where they are at risk of persecution, torture or death, or to stay in Lebanon illegally, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, the rights group said in a report.

Of the 40 refugees interviewed for the report, only two have been able to renew their residencies since January 2015.

“These residency regulations are making life impossible for refugees in Lebanon and are pushing them underground,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director.

“The last thing Lebanon needs is a large, undocumented community living at the margins of society, at heightened risk of abuse.”

“Lebanon’s shortsighted policies are setting the stage for a potentially explosive situation,” Houry said.

“With international help, Lebanon should adopt policies that allow Syrian refugees to keep their legal status in the country and live in dignity. This is not only the minimum standard for treating refugees, it will also promote stability in the country by regularizing their presence.”

Last week, Lebanon forcefully repatriated 407 Syrians after they were left stranded at Beirut airport. Amnesty International called the action "an outrageous breach of Lebanon's international obligations."

Lebanon is home to over a million refugees fleeing Syria's civil war.