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Rights Groups Concerned for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon amid Coronavirus
Pandemic

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN, JORDAN - Advocacy groups say Lebanon has put into place
   restrictions that discriminate against Syrian refugees as it battles
   the coronavirus. Human rights groups say the restrictions do not apply
   to Lebanese citizens and could both undermine the country's public
   health response and endanger the refugees' health.

   Lebanon is under a daily 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew to fight the spread of
   the coronavirus. The infection has sickened 541 people to date and left
   nearly 20 others dead there, according to the latest figures from the
   health ministry. The government is allowing residents to take trips
   outside the home, but only for medical emergencies, food and medicine.

   Human Rights Watch says even before the nationwide curfew was
   announced, a number of municipalities implemented what it calls
   "discriminatory restrictions" on refugees. Nadia Hardman, an HRW
   refugee rights researcher, said these limits include extra curfews.

   "You have these additional restrictions on Syrian refugees: only
   allowing movement between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. In informal tented
   settlements, only one person, possibly two, have to be appointed to go
   out and get supplies for the rest of the informal tented settlement. In
   other places this must be done in coordination with the municipality.
   In other instances, fines also and confiscation of ID," said Hardman.

   So far, no coronavirus cases have been formally registered among the
   refugee population; but, the refugees themselves are raising concerns
   about their ability to access health care. The refugees also say they
   lack information on how to protect themselves against infection.
   Hardman argues that limiting the spread and impact of the coronavirus
   in Lebanon requires ensuring that everyone can access testing and
   treatment centers.

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