WORLD_ SYRIA_ Syrians who return will lose refugee status: Lebanon

Syrians who return will lose refugee status: Lebanon

June 02, 2014
The Gulf Today


BEIRUT: Lebanon has told more than a million Syrian refugees they will lose their refugee status if they cross back into Syria, two days before a presidential election in which Syrian officials have urged many to vote at polling stations on the border.

Tens of thousands of Syrians cast ballots at their Beirut embassy in an early round of expatriate voting last week and embassy staff said those who were unable to participate could vote at polling stations just inside Syria on Tuesday.

The scale of turnout at the embassy and the vocal displays of support for President Bashar Al Assad angered Assad’s Lebanese opponents, who said any refugees who took part should be sent back to Syria.

Lebanon’s Interior Ministry made no mention of the election in its warning to the Syrian refugees, but said it was acting to “prevent any friction or mutual provocation” between Syrians and their Lebanese host communities.

“All displaced Syrians and those registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees are asked to refrain from entering Syria as of June 1, 2014, under penalty of losing their refugee status in Lebanon,” the ministry said.

UNHCR spokesperson Dana Sleiman said the ministry’s message had been relayed to the refugees, but that the agency had told the Lebanese government that refugees who return to Syria may still fear persecution or face serious danger.

“Some Syrian refugees return briefly to their home country, including to renew their documents, check on elderly or sick family members or property, and to see if the situation in their villages is safe enough for return,” she said.

“Some refugees also face pressure or coercion to return and are not necessarily returning voluntarily. Some have been told if they do not return to vote they will never be re-admitted to Syria when conditions are conducive to safe and voluntary return.”

The three-year-old conflict has deepened political divisions in Lebanon and fuelled violence including bombings, rocket attacks and gunbattles.

The Hizbollah-dominated March 8 political coalition supports Assad while its March 14 opponents have backed the rebels trying to topple him.

Reuters 



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