A group of Syrian refugees left Lebanon on Wednesday to return to their country, according to the National News Agency, as part of what Beirut calls a “voluntary and safe return of displaced persons” plan that was launched in 2017 by the parties.
Lebanon announced the resumption of the plan this month, despite criticism from humanitarian organizations that warned of the “risk of heinous violations and persecution” that refugees face if they return.
On Wednesday, a group of Syrian refugees began leaving Lebanon for Syria, the National News Agency and photographer Agence France-Presse reported, as part of organized trips undertaken by the Lebanese General Security in coordination with Damascus, amid criticism of human rights organizations. . Since early morning, buses and minibuses have been gathering in the Arsal region in eastern Lebanon, some of them with Lebanese and Syrian license plates, before gradually moving into Syrian territory. Refugees brought their belongings with them, including personal belongings, belongings, and even poultry and animals. It is planned that about 750 refugees will leave several areas, according to the General Security, through at least three border points, as part of the plan for the “voluntary and safe return of displaced persons”, which the Lebanese authorities launched in 2017 and announced this month about the resumption of its implementation.
In turn, the Syrian news agency SANA confirmed: “The arrival of a group of displaced Syrians from refugee camps in Lebanon through the Dabusia border crossing in the rural area of Homs (central) to return to their safe and terrorism-free areas. .”
In mass returns, more than 400,000 refugees have been returned to Syria, according to the Lebanese Security Service, but humanitarian organizations believe the number of returnees is much lower and speak of documenting “forced” deportations. “By diligently facilitating these returns, the Lebanese authorities are deliberately putting Syrian refugees at risk of abuse and persecution upon their return to Syria,” Diana Samaan, Amnesty International’s acting deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement Friday. .
On the other hand, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, director general of the Lebanese General Security Service, on Tuesday condemned the positions of humanitarian organizations without naming them. He said: “Lebanon rejects the existing method of settlement”, stressing: “We will not force the displaced people to return.” Since the Syrian army regained control over most of the country, some countries have been pressuring the deportation of refugees from their territories under the pretext of reducing the intensity of hostilities. However, the cessation of hostilities, according to human rights activists and international organizations, does not mean that the return of refugees has become safe in the light of dilapidated infrastructure, difficult economic conditions, and sometimes the pursuit of security.
In Lebanon, according to human rights groups, pressure on refugees has ranged from curfews, arrests, racism and deportation to raids and restrictions on residence permits. For years, Beirut viewed the refugee file as a burden and believed that their presence has contributed to hastening and exacerbating the country’s ongoing economic collapse since 2019. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria, Lebanon has become a destination for hundreds of thousands of Syrians. who fled their areas as the fighting went on. The Lebanese authorities currently estimate the presence on its territory of more than two million refugees, and the number registered with the United Nations is about 830,000.