Lebanon Releases Jailed Iraqi Refugees

As a result of joint advocacy by Human Rights Watch, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and local NGOs, Lebanese authorities in late February began releasing Iraqi refugees from detention, where they were held indefinitely until they were willing to "voluntarily" choose to return to Iraq. So far, 79 Iraqis have been released and more are expected to be released in the coming weeks. Human Rights Watch issued a report in December 2007 documenting the Lebanese government's failure to provide legal status for Iraqi refugees in Lebanon. Lebanese authorities have treated Iraqis as illegal immigrants regardless of their intent to seek asylum, and consequently arrested them. Iraqi detainees told Human Rights Watch how they were held in overcrowded cells together with suspected criminals. Human Rights Watch continues to monitor the situation of Iraqi refugees and to advocate for the regularization of their status in Lebanon.