Lebanese official says curfew on Syrians during election 'not racist'


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

A Lebanese official on Friday defended his decision to impose a curfew on tens of thousands of Syrians living in his governorate during Sunday’s parliamentary election

This is despite human rights groups saying the move is illegal.

“This is a precautionary measure because there’s many Syrians here. We don’t want any problems,” Hassan Fakih, governor of the governorate of Nabatieh in south Lebanon, told The National.

“It’s a normal procedure.”

The Nabatieh circular states: “Displaced Syrians may not leave their houses starting 6pm on Saturday May 14 until 8am on Monday May 16 except for necessary reasons.”

Such reasons include doctor's appointments, said Mr Fakih.

Some Lebanese social media users expressed outrage at the curfew, which was announced on Wednesday.

Media, communication and development expert Lina Zhaim tweeted that the curfew represented “xenophobia and inhumanity at their worst!”

Other social media posts claimed similar curfews have been imposed by other municipalities, but The National was unable to verify this.

Mr Fakih said he was surprised at accusations of racism, saying the governorate imposed a similar curfew on Syrians every night for 10 days last summer during the Islamic celebrations of Ashura.

At that time, “no-one said anything,” he said.

“We are not racist,” said Mr Fakih. “Those who say that we are racist can take in the Syrians.

“Syrians are living in our houses. They take our electricity and water. They get help from the UN.”

Such curfews are regularly implemented on Syrians living in Lebanon during sensitive periods — including at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Authorities turn a blind eye or encourage them, despite their apparent illegality.

Human rights non-governmental organisations condemned the move.

They have no basis in Lebanese law and are illegal under international law, said Lynn Maalouf, Middle East research director at Amnesty International.

“It is deplorable but absolutely not surprising in light of the Lebanese authorities' general discourse towards refugees in Lebanon,” she said.

Human Rights Watch described the curfews as discriminatory.

“Restrictions on rights, including freedom of movement, cannot be imposed on a discriminatory basis, including by nationality. This fundamental principle of human rights law applies even during emergencies,” Aya Majzoub, the group's Lebanon researcher, told The National.

If they’re out in gatherings all day, what will happen?
Nabatieh's governor Hussein Fakih

“Such arbitrary measures targeting Syrian refugees only serve to further alienate the community and fuel hostility towards them,” she said.

An Interior Ministry official said it had not requested the curfew, but did not say whether the procedure was legal.

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun regularly says Syrians should go back to Syria, but refugees say they fear retaliatory measures from the Syrian government.

Many Lebanese view Syrians with suspicion, blaming them for further burdening the country's crumbling infrastructure and living off UN aid.

It remains unclear what threat Syrians are expected to pose to public order on election day.

Mr Fakih said that he was worried about large groups of Syrians gatherings with their scooters. There are 15,000 Lebanese in Kfar Reman ― a village near Nabatieh city ― and 25,000 Syrians, he said.

“If they’re out in gatherings all day, what will happen?” asked Mr Fakih.

“Sometimes Syrians make problems with other people,” he said, without giving examples.

UNHCR head of communications Paula Barrachina Esteban said that there were 31,698 Syrians registered with the UN refugee agency in Nabatieh governorate ― 16,192 in Nabatieh district and 1,502 in Kfar Reman.

Almost 900,000 Syrians are registered with the UN in Lebanon. But Lebanese officials that tens of thousands more live in the country of roughly four million citizens.

Most arrived at the start of a civil war in neighbouring Syria in 2011.

Nine out of 10 Syrian households in Lebanon live in extreme poverty. Their average monthly expenditure for each Syrian is just over 316,000 Lebanese pounds — about $11 — according to a 2021 assessment by UN agencies.

The UN targets 55 per cent of registered Syrians with monthly cash assistance of 1 million Lebanese pounds a month ― about $37.

It reaches 99 per cent of Syrian refugees with monthly cash and food assistance, said Ms Esteban.

“With the impact of the current crisis in Lebanon hitting the most vulnerable, UNHCR will continue to support refugees and their hosting communities to alleviate their suffering and promote peaceful coexistence,” she said.

Lebanon has been hit hard by the country’s severe economic crisis that started in 2019 with the devaluation of their local currency, causing soaring inflation. More than three-quarters of the population now lives in poverty.

Politicians have failed so far to implement reforms requested by the international community in exchange for a bailout.

Dozens of Lebanese and Syrians died in late April as they attempted to reach Europe on an overcrowded boat, further fuelling angry against the country’s rulers.

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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

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Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
FIXTURES

Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)

Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Saturday
Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
Udinese v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Juventus (11.45pm)
Sunday
Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)

Results
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Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.

Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.

The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

ODI FIXTURE SCHEDULE

First ODI, October 22
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Second ODI, October 25
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune

Third ODI, October 29
Venue TBC

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THE DETAILS

Kaala

Dir: Pa. Ranjith

Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar  

Rating: 1.5/5 

About Okadoc

Date started: Okadoc, 2018

Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Healthcare

Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth

Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February

Investors: Undisclosed

Updated: May 13, 2022, 6:04 PM`