On Link TV, I watched a documentary about Iraqi refugees in Lebanon called Iraq in Lebanon. With all of the turmoil in the Middle East, Lebanon has become a sanctuary for those from conflict zones such as Iraq and Palestine. Starting in 2006, Iraqis began flooding into the country in unprecedented numbers. In 2008, about 50,000 Iraqis, mostly Shiite Muslims and Christians illegally entered Lebanon, a country that does not border Iraq. This is a situation I know virtually nothing about. So, it is hard to have much of an opinion on it.
Unfortunately, Lebanon's policy on refugees is not very accommodating. Formally, refugees are tolerated only long enough to be resettled in another country through the UN or repatriated to Iraq. This means that there is no such thing as asylum or refugee status in Lebanon. Still, thousands flee here.
The UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) offers resettlement to refugees in Lebanon to other countries (mostly the US, Canada, and Australia) or repatriation to Iraq. The process takes several months and the refugess receive no protection or any type of UN or government assistance in the meantime. They cannot sign leases or get jobs. If they can get an apartment, they are charged double or triple the rate. If someone does illegally hire them, they must be on constant lookout for police. Days and nights are filled with fear as they pray that police will not find them.
When illegals are caught in Lebanon, they are not deported. They are put in prison for several months. These prisons are not like the cushy jails Americans take for granted. Up to 10 people are put in a 6 square foot cell with no toilet. From how these refugees described the fabulous accommodations, it reminded me of the descriptions of Revolutionary war prison ships, where three times as many soldiers died than in combat.
Ziyad, a Shiite Iraqi profiled on the show, begged to be deported to Iraq in order to get out of this hell hole. Upon arriving in Iraq, he got his passport and legally went to Syria. Did he stay there? No. He crossed the border illegally to return to Lebanon. I thought to myself, "Why, if he can LEGALLY go to Syria, would he ILLEGALLY go back to Lebanon?" This was quite curious and I decided to research this issue. Here is what I was able to find out.
Syria, which shares a large border with Iraq, has a contract with the UN to accept refugees. Syria offers protection to refugees as well as financial assistance, health care, and education. Though not allowed to seek formal employment, they can work and not fear arrest. Syrians in general are accepting of the refugees. Interestingly enough, the Iraqi refugee population in Syria is one of the largest refugee populations in the world. Thousands of Iraqis arrive in Syria every month. Sounds great, right?
Prior to 2007, most Iraqis that entered Syria were allowed to stay. Unfortunately, in 2007, stricter visa requirements were enacted for Iraqis as well as the shortening of the period for residence permits. In the most recent two years, Iraqis have been deported and jailed. The restrictions are not so tight that it would prevent so many Iraqis that are risking their life in Lebanon from seeking shelter there. There is another reason. Religion.
Syria happens to be about 70% Sunni Muslim, 13% Shiite Muslim, and 10% Christian. In Lebanon, 40% of the population is Christian and there are an equal amount (28% each) Sunnis and Shiites. In fact, Lebanon has the largest Christian Community in the Middle East. Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East where a Christian can comfortably make a life for them self. Undoubtedly, Shiite Muslims also have fewer problems there.
So, it comes down to society. Though Syria offers the necessities of life, Lebanon offers community. In these stressful times, Iraqis would rather risk their lives and jail to get help from people like them rather than trust an accepting government with their lives. You really can't blame them.
No comments:
Post a Comment