Lebanon: Information on the June 1994 decree affecting Lebanese citizenship
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN26989.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Information on the June 1994 decree affecting Lebanese citizenship, 1 June 1997, LBN26989.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4e9c.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Several sources report that the Lebanese government issued a decree granting Lebanese citizenship in June 1994 (UPI 22 June 1994; Mideast Mirror 23 June 1994; Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek July-Sept. 1994).
Although the government did not specify how many individuals were naturalized by decree (Mideast Mirror 23 June 1994; UPI 22 June 1994), media reports estimated that more than 100,000 people were affected by the decree (ibid.; Mideast Mirror 23 June 1994, Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek July-Sept. 1994).
Mideast Mirror reported that the Muslims granted Lebanese citizenship were mostly Sunnis from the north of the country, members of a community known as "Arabs of Wadi-Khaled," and the Christians were from seven different sects, mostly non-Maronite (23 June 1994). Palestinians in Lebanon were excluded from the decree (ibid.; UPI 22 June 1994), however, the Voice of Lebanon Radio quoted a PLO official who said that he believed that 27,000 Palestinians had been granted citizenship (29 Aug. 1994).
The DIRB has not been able to locate a copy of the text of the decree.
For more information on the above-mentioned subject, please see the attachments below.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below a list of additional sources consulted in preparing this Response.
References
Mideast Mirror [London]. 23 June 1994. "Around 100,000 ( Excluding Palestinian Residents ( Granted Lebanese Citizenship." (NEXIS)
Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek [Paris]. July-September 1994. No. 145. "Chronologies."
UPI. 22 June 1994. BC Cycle. "Lebanon Citizenship Decree Approved." (NEXIS)
Voice of Lebanon [Beirut, in Arabic]. 29 August 1994. "PLO Official Fears Future Schemes to Resettle Palestinians." (BBC Summary 31 Aug. 1994/NEXIS)
Attachments
Mideast Mirror [London]. 23 June 1994. "Around 100,000 ( Excluding Palestinian Residents ( Granted Lebanese Citizenship." (NEXIS)
UPI. 22 June 1994. BC Cycle. "Lebanon Citizenship Decree Approved." (NEXIS)
Voice of Lebanon [Beirut, in Arabic]. 29 August 1994. "PLO Official Fears Future Schemes to Resettle Palestinians." (BBC Summary 31 Aug. 1994/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report 1995.
Country Reports for Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State.
Keesing's Record of World Events. 1994.
Computerized databases: FBIS, Global NewsBank.
One oral source contacted did not provide information.
Note on contacting foreign diplomatic representatives in Canada:
Ability to obtain information from diplomatic representatives depends on availability of information and cooperation from individual countries.
