Geneva - in a statement to the UN Human Rights Council’s 54th session, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor expressed its deep concern about the persistent gender-based violence against Syrian refugee women in Lebanon and the absence of legal justice for survivors. 

Euro-Med Monitor cited growing waves of racism and violence against Syrian refugees in Lebanon—a result of incitement campaigns led by some political entities and media outlets there. Although Lebanon has ratified many international laws, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), it has not succeeded in protecting Syrian women in Lebanon from gender-based violence. 

The organisation pointed to the uncertain legal status of 85% of Syrian women in Lebanon is one of the main barriers preventing survivors from seeking legal justice. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor called on the international community to urge Lebanon to respect, protect and implement human rights law, including eliminating gender-based violence for all people on Lebanese territory. 

Full statement

Mr. President, 

Euro-Med Monitor is deeply concerned about the persistent gender-based violence against displaced women in Lebanon and the lack of legal justice for survivors.

Gender-based   violence   is   one   of   the   most   persistent   human   rights   violations, impairing women’s full enjoyment of their human rights and freedoms. While   Lebanon   has   ratified   multiple   international   laws,   including   CEDAW,   and   is obligated to protect all persons on its territory no matter their legal status, it has not succeeded in protecting Syrian women in Lebanon from gender-based violence. 

Socio-cultural patriarchal norms   and   intersectional   vulnerabilities   derived   from ethnicity,   gender,   and   legal   status   put   Syrian   women   at   a   disproportionate   risk   of experiencing   gender-based   violence. In   2022,   Syrian   women   constituted   74 % of gender-based violence survivors registered by the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System. 

The uncertain legal status of 85% of Syrian women in Lebanon is one of the main barriers for survivors seeking legal justice. Instead of getting protection, survivors risk being subjected to secondary violence, detention, or forced to return to Syria. 

We   call   on   the   international   community   to   urge   Lebanon   to   respect,   protect,   and fulfill human rights law, including eliminating gender-based violence for all persons on Lebanese territory. 

Thank you.