PRC Deeply Concerned about Fate of Palestinian Refugees following Coronavirus-Imposed Repatriation Ban by Lebanese Government

PRC Deeply Concerned about Fate of Palestinian Refugees following Coronavirus-Imposed Repatriation Ban by Lebanese Government

 

PRC is following with deep concern the circular recently issued by Lebanon’s General Directorate of General Security barring Palestinians and foreign “maids” from coronavirus evacuation flights.

The obscure circular prohibits the return of Lebanon-based Palestinian refugees until further notice.

The Directorate said the ban on Palestinians was made "in accordance to the decision of the Council of Ministers to repatriate the Lebanese exclusively" at this stage, adding that "non-Lebanese" who have the right to enter Lebanon will be allowed to return "at later stages", without specifying the exact timeframe.

PRC believes that excluding people of Palestinian descent from boarding Lebanese expatriate evacuation flights is an embarrassing and discriminatory measure.

PRC strongly condemns the inhumane treatment and crackdowns that several refugees have been subjected to by Lebanese air marshal and immigration authorities.

The evacuation ban stands in sharp contrast to the international humanitarian and human rights laws and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which prohibit mistreatment of refugees and forced pushbacks.

The Lebanese authorities should immediately backtrack on the racist order which bars Palestinian refugees with Lebanese travel documents from Lebanon-bound flights at such a critical coronavirus-hit stage.

 

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