Policy group urges refugees ministry in Lebanon

Published today (updated) 13/05/2010 11:49

Bethlehem - Ma'an -

An independent public policy organization in Lebanon presented the findings of an October conference to media on Wednesday, calling for the creation of a ministry for Palestinian refugees.

The self described independent, non-partisan organization said its recommendations came in support of its "threefold mission is to promote unity, security, peace, prosperity, justice and democracy in Lebanon; to assist Lebanon in becoming a regional center for freedom and cultural progress in the Arab and Mediterranean region."

According to reporters from the Beirut Daily Star, speakers from the foundation said research showed dire living conditions in Palestinian refugee camps turned them into "security black holes."

The recommendations of the report, were directed at the Lebanese government, UNRWA and Palestinian government officials.

For the local government, Assistant Director of the organization Michel Abu Najem told reporters from the paper, a ministry for Palestinian refugees should be created, to help format a "global rescue plan," in consultation with UNRWA, Palestinian officials and regional leaders.

According to the report, "the plan would work on rectifying the legal status of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon in terms of giving them the right to possess a Palestinian passport or an equivalent document, the right to exercise certain professions, the right to own property and the right to form organizations," all of which are not currently rights afforded to the refugees.

The researchers also recommended the formation of a Palestinian Authority body that was "capable of putting an end to the internal chaos inside the camps."

As for UNRWA and the UN, the researchers charged the organizations with creating a "realistic rescue plan to turn the camps from ghettos to joyful havens," and an international conference to help get the project off the ground. Also proposed was a financial oversight committee to ensure project implementation, the newspaper reported.