Palestinian Refugees from Syria in Lebanon: Policy Recommendations for the UN Alexandra Proskurina TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 Issue definition 02 03 The current Policy state of affairs Recommendations 01 Issue definition Palestinian refugees as part of the Lebanese population Lebanon’s population Whole population Palestinian refugees All Refugees Palestinian refugees from Syria Palestinian refugees Main factors that create the current situation: ● the exciting legal framework underlying the international refugee regime — group of refugees in institutional limbo ● the Lebanese society today is hostile towards Palestinian refugees and the government refuses to give them a definite status and to let them integrate As a result, Palestinian refugees from Syria in Lebanon : • Experience discrimination in terms if humanitarian relief measures; • Do not have a legal refugee status; • Do not have rights other refugees are entitled to; • Are subject to violence and human rights violations. Image Source: www.anera.org 02 The current state of affairs UN REFUGEE AGENCIES United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR UNRWA Responsible for all but Palestinian refugees Responsible only for Palestinian refugees The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS APRIL 1948 1951 1969-1987 PHASE 1 The UN General Assembly Resolution 194 Task 1 The UN Convention on Refugees Task 2 The Cairo Agreement How the Lebanese government deals with Palestinian refugees Considers them “temporarily displaced individuals” Hampers the registration process with the UNHCR Does not allow them to work in many fields or to own property Palestinian Refugee camps in Lebanon Map Source: 3RP Dashboard, December 2015 03 Policy Recommendations POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 1 2 3 Institutions Funding Policy REFORM THE UNRWA INCREASE FINANCIAL AID PROMPT CHANGE IN THE LEBANESE REFUGEE POLICIES Conclusion ● A sustainable and lasting solution requires a holistic approach; ● Policy options can be implemented sequentially; ● The options affect and prepare ground for each other; ● There is a risk of backlash in Lebanon — implementation with caution and preparation; ● At the end, they are beneficial for the Lebanese society THE UN CAN AND SHOULD BRING THE LEBANESE REFUGEE CRISIS TO THE AGENDA AND PROVIDE POLITICAL WILL TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING SITUATION $1.6bn appeal to support Palestinian refugees in Lebanon launched earlier this year proves that there are resources and possibilities to do so THANK YOU If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me at aproskurina@utexas.edu CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik.