Lebanon: Status of Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in relation to other political parties and organizations in Lebanon; whether members of a particular ethnic group or individuals are coerced into joining the party; reprisals for refusing to join the party; possibility of leaving the country without reprisals and whether PSP is in alliance with any other political party
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 5 February 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBN38548.E |
| Reference | 4 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Lebanon: Status of Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in relation to other political parties and organizations in Lebanon; whether members of a particular ethnic group or individuals are coerced into joining the party; reprisals for refusing to join the party; possibility of leaving the country without reprisals and whether PSP is in alliance with any other political party, 5 February 2002, LBN38548.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be5c1c.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 paper entitled Civil Society and Governance in Lebanon published in January 1999 by the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS) states that:
The Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) was founded by Kamal Junblat in 1949 and was one of the largest political parties in the country drawing followers from all communities. After the founder's assassination in 1977, his son Walid took over as head of the party, and in the following years, the Party drifted into a more strictly Druze party. During the war, the PSP, like other parties-militias in the country, essentially ran its own mini-state in the mountain areas under its control. The Progressive Youth Organization is the youth and student arm of the party and was founded in 1970. It aims to organize student life in high schools and universities and organizes lectures and debates as well as social awareness programs and other youth activities. The Progressive Women's Union is the women's arm of the party and was founded in 1974. It works for better conditions for women through legal reform, change in the workplace, more educational opportunities, family planning, and support for mothers and children. The Progressive Thought Association was founded in 1992 and is the Party's contribution to cultural and intellectual life.
The LCPS report also states that the PSP falls into the category of Lebanese political parties that "are largely covers for traditional patron-client relations."
No information on whether individuals are forcibly recruited in the PSP could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
According to a December 2000 Middle East Intelligence Bulletin article, PSP leader Walid Jumblatt began to sever his ties with Damascus and forge new political alliances with Christian opposition leaders in order to "survive politically" after an eventual Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon. The article also indicates that:
The Druze leader began calling for a "correction" of Syrian-Lebanese ties and condemning Syrian interference in the political process during the runup to the August-September [2000] parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, he negotiated electoral alliances with the Christian Kata'ib Party and National Bloc and agreed to a "political charter" with former president Amine Gemayel, who returned to Lebanon in late July. The gamble paid-off – Jumblatt and his allies scored a landslide victory in the Shouf and Aly districts of Mount Lebanon. Jumblatt increases his political influence considerably, obtaining cabinet positions for three of his allies.
Syrian officials apparently expected Jumblatt to return to the fold after the elections. They were wrong. Empowered by the popular mandate he achieved at the ballot box, Jumblatt has decided that observing Syrian "red lines" is a political liability.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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 find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS), Beirut. January 1999. Civil Society and Governance in Lebanon.
Middle East Intelligence Bulletin (MEIB). December 2000. Vol. 2, No. 11. Gary C. Gambil. "The Weakening of Syrian Political Patronage in Lebanon."
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
Internet sources including:
La revue du Liban [Beirut]
World News Connection (WNC)
Oral sources:
One oral source could not be reached within the research deadlines.