Background of their lives in Syria
After the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, better termed as ‘Nakba’ amongst Palestinians and Arabs, more than 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee and to establish new lives elsewhere. Those who took refuge in Syria, who currently reside in Lebanon, are some of the most vulnerable Palestinians in the world. Ironically, before the Syrian conflict, Syria was perceived as the most effective country for Palestinians in the Middle East. Contrary to countries like Lebanon, that doesn’t permit work for Palestinians, Syria’s 1957 law granted Palestinians the same rights and duties as Syrians, despite voting rights and nationality. Palestinians were allowed to work, and had proper access to education and health care. In Lebanon, however, the work policy forbids any foreigner from work, but points at Palestinians in particular. In a 2010 study conducted by Asem Khalil exploring the socioeconomic rights of Palestinians in the Arab region, Khalil explains that “he work of Palestinians in Lebanon, as much as other foreign nationals, is subject to regulation included in Presidential Decree No. 17561 of 18/9/1964.110 A Palestinian willing to work in Lebanon must satisfy three conditions: firstly, the obtaining of a work permit,111 secondly, national preference,112 and thirdly, reciprocity of rights and obligations (Suleiman 2006, 15-16). As was the case with Egypt, the reciprocity clause disenfranchises stateless Palestinians (IFHR 2003, 13).” Moving forward to the circumstances of the right to education, the stance against Palestinians in particular becomes much more explicit. According to the 1968 Decree Law No.820, public schools in Lebanon are restricted to Lebanese nationals, unless there are free places. However, Palestinians are restricted entry to secondary schools at all costs according to Sayigh 1995, 44; Arzt 1996, 46. Syria’s law, contrary to the Lebanese one, permits both undergraduate and graduate studies for Palestinians just as much as to Syrians, keeping in mind that elementary and secondary schools are offered by UNRWA schools before pursuing education in national schools and universities.
Palestinian Syrians’ living conditions in Lebanon
The drastic contrast of Palestinians living in Syria who moved to Lebanon can be understood through the basic comparison of Palestinian rights in each, Lebanon and Syria through Andrzej Bolesta’s 2002 paper, when stated: “In Lebanon, Palestinian refugees seem to be the worst affected. Being constantly denied any rights they are forced to struggle for life. International assistance is insufficient, and although effort is put into securing refugees’ basic needs it does not change in a significant way their standard of living. In Syria, Palestinians enjoy almost the same rights, or rather their lack, as Syrian nationals. However, the conditions of the refugee camps do not seem to vary from those in Lebanon or Jordan.” Moreover, upon seeking refuge in Lebanon after the Syrian conflict, not only are they immensely troubled financially, but they don’t have their basic human rights of shelter, food, education, and health care. According to the research conducted by ANERA and the National Institute of Social Care and Vocational Training (NISCVT), Syrian Palestinians’ conditions in Lebanon are shockingly vulnerable, reaffirming that resources are unmet and psychological health is not even slightly taken care of.
Obstacles faced by Palestinian Syrians in Lebanon
In May 2014, the Lebanese authorities imposed a law on Palestinian Syrians entering Lebanon. The requirements in which the Lebanese authorities inflicted on the refugees were meant to guarantee their temporary residency in Lebanon, as Lebanon is reluctant to welcome them for various reasons. Palestinians from Syria had to declare that they are either transiting through Lebanon, or that they will abide by particular conditions as part of a temporary residency in Lebanon. These conditions are granted if they are lucky; many Syrian Palestinians are denied entry in Lebanon altogether, despite their proof of documents or otherwise. In the case of Palestinian Syrians already residing in Lebanon prior to the law, many of them are unable to renew their temporary residency visas. They wind up without a clear status in the country, consequentially at risk of deportation. A 2014 study by AMNESTY International, “Denied Refuge”, on Palestinians from Syria seeking safety in Lebanon, tackles entry problems into Lebanon for Palestinian Syrians. This study explains the two changes in entry law which placed a huge impact on the status of Palestinian Syrians. First, in August 2013, and next in May 2014. Prior to August 2013, the average case for a Palestinian refugee from Syria to enter Lebanon was to get authorisation from Syrian officials by holding a Palestinian Refugee Identity Card. Upon receiving authorisation from Syrian authorities, they could automatically receive a temporary visa in Lebanon which would last them for a year on a 3-month basis renewal. They could pay around 200 US Dollars if they wanted to extend it beyond that year, renewing their stay on a 3-month basis. Many Palestinian Syrians were denied entry for no apparent reason, some even waited for days at the borders and were still denied entry. Although never published officially , NGOs confirmed that “border officials were reported to be enforcing a practice of only allowing Palestinian refugees from Syria to enter Lebanon if they had one of the following: a valid pre-approved visa which required an application made by a guarantor in Lebanon; a valid visa and ticket to a third country – meaning they were only transiting through Lebanon; a scheduled medical or embassy appointment; or if they were able to prove they had family already legally in Lebanon”, according to AMNESTY International’s 2014 study. The same study clarifies the changes in policy since May 2014 by the Lebanese authorities intended for Palestinian Syrians’ entry into Lebanon complicated their status even more so. Like the previous policy amendment, it was not fully acknowledged by the government, but was reported to be true. On May 3 2014, Palestinian Syrians were denied entry into Lebanon evidenced by a leaked document from Beirut Rafik Hariri Airport which stated the following:
Issued by the airport branch of General Security
To all airlines
Date 3/5/2014
Subject: not allowing the transportation of any traveller who is a Palestinian refugee in Syria We request that you do not transport any traveller who is a Palestinian refugee in Syria to Lebanon no matter the reason and regardless of the documents or IDs that they hold, under
penalty of fining the transporting company in case of non-compliance as well as return of the traveller to where they came from.
[signed by head of airport general security branch for Rafik Hariri airport]
Statistics on their lives in Lebanon
According to ANERA’s study reports on the lives of Palestinian Syrian refugees, more than 90% of the refugees from Syrian lack income. Many families resort to child labor as a means of survival . ANERA’s reports confirm that two-thirds of all families are not able to provide three meals a day. They receive relief mainly from local and international organizations. In January 2013, ANERA reported that 74% of the interviewed households are crowded with more than 10 people. 60% of all households are reported to be crammed into one
room. Rents range between 150-300 US Dollars per month. Syrian Palestinian families are continuously concerned with the rent payment, fearing that they may not be able to pay and wind up losing shelter in Lebanon. Their vulnerable conditions keep intensifying, and they are unable to lead decent lives with their basic human rights because of the restrictions and limitations placed upon them.
