Protesters demonstrate against the repatriation of Syrian refugees, in Tripoli, North Lebanon, April 28, 2023. (Credit: Ibrahim Chalhoub/AFP)
BEIRUT — The Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) released a report Friday claiming that Lebanese authorities "arbitrarily" arrested at least 808 refugees between the beginning of April and May 16.
ACHR said that the 808 refugees include women and children in multiple Lebanese areas, such as Bourj Hammoud, Haret Sakher, Wadi Khaled, Hermel, as well as the Chouf and Keserwan districts.
The NGO said it documented human rights violations committed by Lebanese authorities during security crackdowns and arbitrary arrests of Syrian refugees in preparation for their deportation.
"Since the beginning of April until the 16th of May 2023, ACHR has documented no less than 22 security raids conducted by the Lebanese Army on the residences of Syrian refugees," the report said.
"Additionally, there were at least two temporary security checkpoints, one in Jounieh and the other at the al-Rahab roundabout in the Zahle district," the report continued. "As a result, a total of 808 refugees were arbitrarily arrested (including 17 who hold legal residency permits, 13 women, 25 minors, and two people of the LGBTQ+ community), some of whom were subjected to physical violence, ill, inhumane, or degrading treatment at the hands of army officers."
Among those arrested, ACHR claimed at least 336 were forcibly deported. These included 12 refugees holding legal residency permits, 13 women, 22 minors, and 2 members of the LGBTQ+ community, according to the report.
The ACHR recommended that Lebanon's government adhere to international agreements, grant refugees legal protection and stop the forced deportation of refugees to Syria.
The repatriation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has been a highly-discussed topic in recent months, as many political leaders call for their return. The international community has cautioned against this, citing security risks.
On Friday, Syria was welcomed to the Arab Summit for the first time since the country's civil war started in 2011.