Tuesday, June 24, 2008

"Lost generation" of Iraqi refugee children in Lebanon


Report, Electronic Lebanon, 23 June 2008

"BEIRUT (IRIN) - Of the 10 million refugees worldwide, half are children, estimates UK-based World Vision -- children who will grow up as a "lost generation" unless more is done to address their needs.

"To preserve the young generation growing up today, we need to shield children from violence, enhance humanitarian access and provide more resources targeted to children's specific needs," World Vision said in a report highlighting the plight of Iraqi refugee children in Jordan, released to coincide with 20 June, World Refugee Day.

Such problems are clearly evident in Lebanon, where the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, estimates half the 50,000 Iraqi refugees are children.......

Uncertain status

As a non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Lebanon has no domestic refugee law and does not recognize the status even of the 10,000 or so Iraqis registered by UNHCR.

Iraqis are therefore treated as illegal immigrants and if they come into contact with the authorities, they risk arrest for lacking residency or work permits. Once they have served their short sentences, they face the ugly choice of deportation or staying in jail, a December 2007 Human Rights Watch report said........"

No comments: