Thread by @Syria_Irl

Irish Syria Solidarity Movement is among 30 organisations
calling on UN Secretary General, UNHCR & international community to prevent forced return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to Syria

Syria is not safe, returnees are at risk of detention, torture & even death
#SyriaNotSafe

https://twitter.com/ACHRights/status/1347469034921590784

France Germany US & UK declare: “safe, dignified, informed & voluntary return” to Syria not possible at this time

Despite ongoing concerns, Lebanese Min of Social Affairs stated that Lebanon’s “plan” to return Syrians was approved at Damascus Conference on displaced in November'

Lebanon is bound by thr international law principle of nonrefoulement. As such, it must not return anyone to a place where they would face a real risk of persecution, torture or other ill-treatment, or a threat to life

'Refoulement occurs not only when a refugee is directly rejected or expelled, but also when indirect pressure is so intense that it leads refugees to believe they have no practical option but to return to a country where they face these risks'
#SyriaNotSafe #NoRefoulement2Syria

To UNHCR and OHCHR
 
1. In accordance with international humanitarian law & UNHCR’s policies regarding repatriation, UNHCR must issue a public statement clarifying its position on the Lebanese government’s plan to deport Syrian refugees back to Syria.

To UNHCR & OCHCR
2.Intensify efforts to monitor & document violations against Syrian refugees by any party in Lebanon, including the Lebanese Government.
 
3.  Increase public reporting of violations against Syrian refugees & lobby against policies designed to force them to return

To UNHCR & OCHCR

4. Provide public information about the situation in Syria, including the UNHCR’s limitations on collecting information in Syria, to Syrian refugees prior to any voluntary repatriation.
 
#SyriaNotSafe
#NoRefoulementToSyria

5. Refrain from participating in, aiding, & assisting (directly & indirectly) activities that include deportation to Syria, even if the activity is conducted by the Lebanese Government.

II. To International Donors of the UNHCR & Lebanon
 
1. EU US Germany France & UK must condition assistance to Lebanon on ensuring refugees are not forced or pressured to return to Syria. To include financial resources, development assistance, financial support to security sector

2. Increase humanitarian assistance directly to Syrian & non-Syrian humanitarian organizations to enable them to emphasize projects that enable Syrian refugees to sustain themselves over the long-term, & work with the Lebanese Govt to ensure it allows & encourages such projects

3. Provide funding for capacity-building of human rights organizations to increase their ability to monitor & advocate for protection of Syrian refugees
 
4. Support integration assistance to refugees & campaigns to combat xenophobia & encourage cross-cultural collaboration

5. Alleviate the pressure on Lebanon by committing to resettle significantly more Syrian refugees.

@Refugees UNHCR MUST PROTECT SYRIAN REFUGEES
IN LEBANON FROM REFOULEMENT
 
 #SyriaNotSafe