Lebanon is set to present a comprehensive paper at the upcoming Brussels conference addressing the Syrian refugee crisis, on Monday. The aim is to repatriate displaced Syrians and preserve Lebanese identity.
The document in question includes basic procedures for addressing the issue of displaced Syrians.
In its proposal, Lebanon urges a shift from integration-focused approaches to those prioritizing the return of refugees to Syria or their resettlement in other countries. This stance is driven by the need to align refugee policies with national interests rather than international agendas.
It also highlights the necessity for international support and coordination with Syrian authorities, acknowledging Syria’s limited capacity to absorb returning refugees quickly. Lebanon suggests leveraging positive regional developments, such as Syria’s reintegration into the Arab League, to facilitate these returns.
Other proposed measures include tasking the General Security with registering and documenting all Syrian migrants and refugees, enhancing border controls, revoking the “refugee” status of Syrians who frequently go to Syria, deporting Syrian prisoners who have been sentenced by the courts, and regulating Syrian labor in accordance with existing laws to prevent unfair competition with Lebanese citizens.
Finally, Lebanon demands clearer commitments from UNHCR and international donors regarding continued funding, resettlement plans, and the overall management of refugees within its borders. It insists on a unified, government-led approach to handling refugee aid to ensure that interventions benefit Lebanon’s national interests.
To recall, the National Campaign to Repatriate Syrian Migrants is organizing a rally outside the Palais de Justice in Brussels on Monday, May 27. The rally aims to urge the European Union to re-evaluate its stance on the Syrian migrant issue and facilitate their return to safe areas in Syria.
