Lebanon: Information on the 1) renewal of a Palestinian Travel Document; 2) the right of entry to Lebanon with this Travel Document; 3) status such a Travel Document confers in Lebanon; 3) on the criteria for issuing this document
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN7190 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Information on the 1) renewal of a Palestinian Travel Document; 2) the right of entry to Lebanon with this Travel Document; 3) status such a Travel Document confers in Lebanon; 3) on the criteria for issuing this document, 1 November 1990, LBN7190, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac6340.html [accessed 21 May 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. |
1-3) A Minority Rights Group publication in 1984 on the Palestinians reported that the Lebanese government publicly stated its goal of reducing the number of Palestinians in the country to 50,000 (p. 12). Some reports have indicated increasing difficulty for Palestinian to renewed their Travel Document after the Israeli invasion of 1982 (Country Reports, p. 1229).
Minority Rights Group numbered the Palestinians registered with UNRWA at 350,000 (1984, p. 14). World Refugee Report of 1988 numbered them at 282,000 (p. 37).
According to the Lebanese Consulate in Ottawa, contacted on 21 November 1990, it is relatively easy to renew a Palestinian Travel Document. The person has to present a blue identification document, delivered by the Lebanese authorities, and a membership card showing membership in an international organization for refugee in Lebanon (i.e. UNWRA). The source at the Consulate further reports that only Palestinians registered as refugees in 1948 and their descendants are allowed to receive the blue Identification card and the UNWRA document. This information is corroborated by the "Palestine Mission to Canada" and by a representative of the Arab League in Ottawa, contacted on 21 November 1990 in Ottawa.
2) According to a Minority Rights Group's report, Palestinians not registered have no legal right to residence in Lebanon (p. 8). This situation also applies to children born in Lebanon of parents not registered with UNWRA (Ibid.).
The Lebanese Consulate in Ottawa reports that with the Travel Document a Palestinian does not need visas to enter Lebanon. Their status in Lebanese society is well defined with this document. This source further reports that Palestinians cannot participate in Lebanese elections but are allowed to work.
The Palestine Mission to Canada and a representative of the Arab League in Ottawa, contacted on 21 November 1990, corroborate this information. However, the Palestine Mission further reports that the problem of who controls the airport has to be considered when assessing the effectiveness of the Travel Document. This source adds that in theory it is possible to work in Lebanon with the Travel Document but that it is sometimes difficult for a Palestinian to acquire a work permit.
Bibliography
"The Palestinians", Minority Rights Group, London: Minority Rights Group, 1984.
McDowall, David, Lebanon: Conflict of Minorities, London: Minority Rights Group, 1984.
Lebanese Consulate, Ottawa. 21 November 1990. Telephone Interview with a Representative.
Palestine Mission to Canada, Ottawa. 21 November 1990. Telephone Interview with a Representative.
Arab League, Ottawa. 21 November 1990. Telephone Interview with a Representative.
World Refugee Report, Washington: Government Printing Office, US Department of State, September 1988.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1987, Washington: Government Printing Office, US Department of State, 1988.
