LEGAL SUPPORT TO SYRIAN REFUGEES IN DETENTION
AJEM is continuing its cooperation with the European Regional Development and Protection Program (RDPP), and now is implementing 2ndAction (2017-18) of their project “Legal Support to Syrian Refugees in Detention.” The 1stAction was carried out in 2015-16.
Forced displacement is one of the most stressful human experiences. Refugees and asylum seekers in Lebanon are exposed at high risks of human rights violations. In addition, they encounter many stress factors on the social, economic, educational and livelihood levels. Some of the vulnerable groups of the refugees can even perpetrate crimes thus, have conflicts with the law. The complex history between Lebanese and Syrians, the unstable political situation in Lebanon, the huge number of forced displaced Syrians and the economic crisis have made the situation very arduous. Many Syrians have illegally or with falsified identity entered Lebanon seeking refuge and decent living conditions. Being afraid to contact any responsible agency to regularize their status, they are often arrested for their illegal stay. Thus, the lack of the legal status of the heads of families, has accentuated the distress of the refugees exposing them to protection risks among others like poverty and recourse to acts against the law (theft, drug trafficking, prostitution etc.).
The set of activities under this project aims at improving the situation of the target groups as well as the final beneficiaries. The Syrian refugees will have increased knowledge and awareness on their rights and other legal matters and they will have access to legal service whereas their capacity to assign private lawyer is very limited. The families of Syrian refugees in detention will receive support in accessing services through the active role of AJEM in referring cases to other organisations working with refugees and through the feedback mechanism that will be established to track the receipt of the service and the improvement of the family situation. This activity also allows to maintain the contact between the family and the detained person which alleviates the stress and reduce deterioration caused by the detention event. The violations and malpractices will be monitored in order to reduce or prevent them and also to readjust the access to justice and fair trial. Therefore, the other target groups including judges and general prosecutors, the Internal Security Forces, the General Security Forces and the municipalities who are directly involved with the Syrian refugees will be addressed through advocacy work which helps in ensuring protective factors for the Syrian refugees in general.