EU accused of funding human rights abuses against Syrian refugees in Cyprus and Lebanon

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the EU of “bankrolling” Lebanese institutions without adequate oversight, enabling violations of fundamental rights. A HRW report released today claims that Syrian refugees attempting to reach Cyprus from Lebanon are being forcibly expelled back to their homeland by Lebanese authorities funded by the EU.

The report alleges that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), supported by EU funds, have repeatedly violated human rights by intercepting and deporting refugees to Syria, where they risk persecution. The Cypriot coastguard is also implicated in these expulsions by pushing back refugees to Lebanon, despite the refugees’ right to seek asylum.

HRW’s findings are based on testimonies from 16 Syrian refugees, photographic and video evidence, and tracking data. Of those interviewed, 15 reported abuse by Lebanese or Cypriot authorities, including arbitrary detention, beatings and forced deportation to Syria.

‼️Breaking‼️
1/7 New report from @hrw finds #Lebanon and #Cyprus pulled back, expelled and forced refugees back to Syria, underwritten by funding from the #EuropeanUnion for so-called "border management" projects. The EU should stop outsourcing abuses.https://t.co/Ms2KGn3esm pic.twitter.com/NimSL4gH3f

— Nadia Hardman (@Nadia_Hardman) September 4, 2024

Nadia Hardman, a researcher with the rights organisation, criticised the EU for funding Lebanese border management without ensuring compliance with human rights standards.

“By preventing Syrian refugees from leaving to seek protection elsewhere, and then forcibly returning them to Syria, Lebanon violates the fundamental prohibition on returning a refugee to face persecution, while the European Union helps pay the bills,” she was quoted as saying. “Cyprus is engaging in illegal expulsions. They are bound by the EU’s very powerful human rights framework and norms, which are being ignored.”

The human rights group called for the EU to implement independent monitoring mechanisms to ensure that funding does not support human rights violations. Since May, the EU has agreed to provide €1 billion to Lebanon, partly to strengthen border controls, but HRW argues that there are insufficient safeguards in place to prevent misuse.

READ: Lebanon ex-Central Bank chief Riad Salameh arrested over financial crimes