Activists and representatives of Palestinians in Lebanon stressed Thursday the need to abolish a Lebanese law that prohibits Palestinian refugees from owning property in the country.
“Attendees of the meeting agreed on the need to begin work to abolish the prohibition of ownership of property by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon part of the law of foreign ownership,” activists advocating the right of Palestinians to real-estate ownership in Lebanon said in a statement.
The statement came following a meeting of members from non-governmental organizations and representatives from Palestinian factions.
In 2001, the Lebanese Parliament amended the foreign ownership law, barring Palestinians the right to own real-estate in the country.
They also said Palestinian ownership of real-estate in Lebanon would not lead to permanent settlement in Lebanon and that the item barring them from owning real-estate violates anti-discrimination laws as well as human rights and Lebanon’s international commitments.
The meeting also looked into a long-term plan to mobilize public opinion and gain support for Palestinians to be allowed the right to own real estate in Lebanon.
In August of last year, Parliament amended the Labor Law to lift some restrictions imposed on the employment of Palestinians, who are estimated to be over 600,000.
In a report released in June, the European Union criticized Lebanon’s treatment of Palestinian refugees, saying Lebanon continued to enforce “dire” living conditions on most displaced people due largely to its refusal to ratify the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees. Read More
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