Curfews imposed on Syrians in villages across Lebanon amount to a “violation of Lebanon’s international human rights obligations” and create a discriminatory and hostile environment for refugees, Human Rights Watch said in statement Friday.
The watchdog criticized municipalities for adopting the restrictive measures without coordinating with the central government.
In many cases, the curfews were introduced as knee-jerk reactions to the five-day battle between the Army and radical Syrian rebels in Arsal and the subsequent execution of three hostages they abducted during the August conflict.
“The authorities have presented no evidence that curfews for Syrian refugees are necessary for public order or security in Lebanon,” said Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at HRW, noting that his organization had identified at least 45 municipalities that had imposed curfews over the past year.
The NGO observed that vigilante groups had been formed in many towns to help municipal police enforce the curfews from sunset until sunrise, raising concerns about abuses.
The statement cited several incidents of abuse and discriminatory behavior, including restricting refugees’ movements to purchase essentials such as medicine and food, and physical assault, including stabbings, when refugees were discovered in the streets after curfew.
“Municipalities should cease imposing these curfews, which they have no authority to require, and end practices that feed into a climate of discrimination against, and stereotyping of, Syrians in Lebanon,” Houry said.
