Suleiman Says Instructions Clear on not Deporting Syrians

President Michel Suleiman said Thursday there are instructions not to deport any Syrian to his home country in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“The instructions are not to deport any Syrian to Syria in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Suleiman on twitter.

His tweet came in response to a call by non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch for the Lebanese government to keep its open border policy so those fleeing Syria can safely enter Lebanon.

It also urged it to “maintain a policy of not deporting anyone to Syria while the conflict there continues.

“The government should stop detaining Syrian or other refugees for being in the country illegally.”

The call came during a press conference it held in Beirut on Thursday for its World Report 2013.

“Lebanon deported 14 Syrians back to Syria in August, four of whom said they feared persecution upon return,” the report said.

It also said that many displaced Syrians report feeling insecure, particularly following the string of kidnappings and other retaliatory attacks in August for the abduction of Hassan Meqdad, a Lebanese, by armed rebels in Syria.

It said Lebanon failed to enact needed reforms in 2012 to stem abuse during arrest and detention, promote women’s rights, and protect migrants and refugees.

Nadim Houry, deputy Middle East director at HRW, said at the press conference that the “government and parliament missed opportunities to advance human rights last year by sitting on, or rejecting, key reforms and proposals.”

“Candidates for the 2013 elections should make clear where they stand on key human rights issues, and how they intend to follow through,” he said.

In its 665-page report, the NGO assessed progress on human rights during the past year in more than 90 countries, including an analysis of the aftermath of the Arab uprisings.