Lebanon: Information on the procedures and criteria used by the Ministry of the Interior in issuing blue Palestinian identity cards, what documents a potential recipient must produce, whether a recipient has to be in Lebanon for a card to be issued, and whether another person can sign the card on behalf of the recipient
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN17135.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Information on the procedures and criteria used by the Ministry of the Interior in issuing blue Palestinian identity cards, what documents a potential recipient must produce, whether a recipient has to be in Lebanon for a card to be issued, and whether another person can sign the card on behalf of the recipient, 1 April 1994, LBN17135.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2b38.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. |
The following is an unofficial translation of information taken from an article appearing in Revue d'études Palestiniennes (1993). According to the article, Palestinian identity cards are issued by the bureau of refugee affairs of the Lebanese Ministry of the Interior (55-56). The document states that it is "for Palestinian refugees," indicates the holder's nationality as being Palestinian, and grants the holder permanent residence (ibid.). Direct descendants of Palestinians who hold identity cards are granted the same right (ibid.). For the copy of the original in French, please see the attached.
An Oxford University fellow with expertise in Palestinian issues stated that the Interior Ministry maintains a central registry of the names of all Palestinian families who have been granted official refugee status in Lebanon and that United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) registration cards can be used to obtain Palestinian identity cards (22 Apr. 1994). He stated that in the past Palestinian refugees inside Lebanon could obtain identity cards without travelling to Beirut through senior family members or through "middle men" (ibid.). He said that middle men are no longer permitted to obtain identity cards on behalf of other individuals but that this regulation is not always strictly applied (ibid.). He added that, to the best of his knowledge, it is not absolutely necessary for Palestinians to be in Lebanon to receive an identity card (ibid.).
According to a representative of the Palestinian Women's Association of Ottawa, a "blue card," or Wathiqa Khassa Belajeen Al-Falastnieen, is a single-page document which states the holder's religion, country of origin and place of residence (25 Apr. 1994). The source said that the card also states the names of the holder's mother and father and the holder's family registration number (ibid.). She stated that, in order to receive a such a card, a person must provide the Interior Ministry with a copy of his or her birth certificate (ibid.).
A representative of the British Refugee Council in London stated that to the best of his knowledge, individuals could use UNRWA registration cards to obtain Palestinian identity cards (25 Apr. 1994). An official at the embassy of Lebanon stated that any documentation which establishes a person's identity could be used (21 Apr. 1994).
The source at the Palestinian Women's Association stated that the children and grandchildren of Palestinian refugees registered in Lebanon are also eligible to receive a blue identity card if born in Lebanon or in other Arabic countries (25 Apr. 1994). She did not know whether identity cards can be issued to persons outside of Lebanon, or whether other individuals can sign a card on the recipient's behalf.
For additional information, please refer to the attached documents.
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.
References
British Refugee Council, London. 25 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon, Ottawa. 21 April 1994. Telephone interview with official.
Revue d'études Palestiniennes [Paris]. Summer 1993. Blandine Destremau. "Le statut juridique des Palestiniens vivant au Proche-Orient."
Oxford University fellow with expertise in Palestinian issues, Oxford, UK. 22 April 1994. Telephone interview.
Palestinian Women's Association of Ottawa. 25 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Attachments
Agence France Presse. 18 April 1994. "Lebanon Outlines Plan to Solve Fate of Palestinian Refugees." (NEXIS)
Revue d'études Palestiniennes [Paris]. Summer 1993. Blandine Destremau. "Le statut juridique des Palestiniens vivant au Proche-Orient," pp. 35-62.
