UNHQ, New York
Thursday, 19 May 2016
REFUGEES/LEBANON
I’ve been asked about media accounts of the report of the Secretary-General, "In safety and dignity: Addressing large movements of refugees and migrants," which was prepared for the 19 September high-level meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants. The focus of the report and the scope of its recommendations are global. The report makes no mention of any specific country and seeks primarily to promote more collective action and better responsibility sharing by Member States to address large movements of refugees and migrants. The report does address the challenge of countries hosting refugees for lengthy periods and calls for measures to better support host communities, to promote social inclusion and to combat discrimination.
The report does not advocate, in any specific cases, for naturalization or granting of citizenship for refugees. The relevant wording of the report reads: "In situations in which conditions are not conducive to return, refugees require a status in receiving States to allow them to re-establish their lives and plan for their future. Receiving states should provide a legal status and examine where, when and how to afford the opportunity to refugees to become naturalized citizens." (para 86). This is in line with article 34 of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Secretary-General is mindful of the fact that if and how to provide citizenship to non-nationals is in all states subject to national policies and laws.
Specifically, the UN has not been pursuing local integration as a solution for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. As highlighted by the Secretary-General during his recent visit, the UN’s position remains that the two options pursued are the return of refugees to Syria when conditions are conducive or their resettlement in a third country. The preferred solution of refugees is to return to their country, when conditions allow.
The UN will support their return to Syria and their reintegration in their country of origin. In the meantime, UNHCR is securing resettlement options for the most vulnerable refugees outside Lebanon and working on other pathways to allow Syrian refugees to go to third countries.
Q&A:
Asked whether the SG would clarify the language of the report, the Spokesperson answered that the report of the SG stands. The Spokesperson re-emphasised that nobody in the UN is calling on Lebanon to give Syrians the Lebanese citizenship. He stressed that Lebanon carries a great burden with the presence of refugees from Syria and the SG has been underlining the need for more global solidarity to support countries like Lebanon in their generosity. Asked whether there will be a letter of the SG to the Lebanese PM to correct the report, the Spokesperson reiterated that the report was written with a global vision and that the UN was in contact with the Lebanese side to clarify this understanding.
