Lebanon: Information on the safety of the campus of the Arab University of Beirut for Palestinians wanted by Syrian security forces
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1992 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN11450 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Information on the safety of the campus of the Arab University of Beirut for Palestinians wanted by Syrian security forces, 1 August 1992, LBN11450, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac3264.html [accessed 17 September 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. |
A Middle East Watch spokeperson stated that the Arab University of Beirut campus which is located next to the Palestinian camp of Sabra is itself "...not formally considered as a safe haven" (27 Aug. 1992). The spokeperson added that it is not an area which is readily penetrated by either Lebanese or Syrian security forces, and as such "...it is conceivable that an individual may be able to hide by living in the alley ways surrounding the University campus" (Ibid.). This information was corroborated by a specialist on Palestinian affairs and professor at Queen's University who further stated that the area surrounding the University has been controlled at various periods by members of the Hezbollah group, and that the university campus is not a safe place to hide, and is regularly searched by the security forces (Ibid.). The professor also added that the Sabra camp is under United Nations Work and Relief Agency (UNWRA) supervision and may be used as a safe hiding place provided that the person in question has a family contact or friends inside the camp (Ibid.).
When questioned regarding the status of the Arab University of Beirut, a spokeperson for the Arab League in Ottawa stated that the university is not funded by the League, nor does it enjoy political immunity through the protection of the Arab League (27 Aug. 1992). The spokeperson added that the university's board of directors consists of Egyptian and Lebanese scholars who maintain administrative needs through private funding (Ibid.).
According to a specialist on Palestinian affairs and a professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of McGill, Montreal, the Arab University of Beirut's campus is, in general, not a safe place to hide, but depending on the gravity of the reason for which an individual is being pursued by the Syrian security forces, the army may hunt this person down even in the midst of the Sabra camp as well as the campus (31 Aug. 1992). The professor added that in case of a less serious offense a person may be able to hide for an indefinite amount of time around the campus without putting his/her life in danger (Ibid.).
Additional information on this subject is currently unavailable to the IRBDC in Ottawa.
References
Arab League, Ottawa. 27 August 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
Middle East Watch, New York. 27 August 1992. Telephone Interview with Representative.
University of McGill, Montreal. 31 August 1992. Telephone Interview with Professor.
University of Queen's, Kingston. 27 August 1992. Telephone Interview with Professor.