Syrian activists appeal to alleviate refugees’ suffering in Lebanon

Translation by Dani Murad

(Zaman Alwasl)- An urgent humanitarian appeal was called for by a group of Syrian activists in Lebanon to all "civil society organizations, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Security Council, the states supporting democracy and freedoms, and Syrian National Coalition ".

In the appeal which Zaman Alwasl has obtained, activists have mentioned five points in regard to the Syrians’ treatment in Lebanon, including:

1 - The Lebanese government does not consider the Syrians in Lebanon, refugees or displaced persons in accordance with the current government laws and thus they do not benefit from their situation as refugees, except in escaping regime’s mass murders.

2 - Syrian refugees in Lebanon are subject to arbitrary arrests under pretexts that violate the international principles that were stated basically to protect refugees.

3 - Syrian refugees in Lebanon are forbidden to exercise any kind of work.

4 - Syrian refugees cannot move from one area to another for fear of arrest and are living under the worst humanitarian situations.

5 – Syrians who arrive or depart via Beirut airport or Tripoli harbor are subjected to ill-treatment, humiliation, psychological persecution and harsh interrogation procedures similar to racial discrimination, as if the Syrian become a key factor of international terrorism!.

Lastly, activists have concluded saying that their appeal is directed to the concerned organizations, in order to take action and alleviate their burden of ill-treatment in Lebanon, and they narrowed those procedures to three requests: first, putting pressure on the Lebanese government to treat Syrians according to the principles of International Refugee Rights, which (acknowledge their duties and rights).

Second, to launch as soon as possible operations workshop that could transfer Syrians who wish to leave Lebanon to other neighboring countries (Turkey - Jordan) or to any country that would welcome them.

And thirdly, to establish “a no-fly zone” inside Syria, where Syrians could enter to it from Lebanon and be safe from regime‘s aerial bombardment and rockets.