European aid aimed at managing migration from Lebanon by sea is under scrutiny for allegedly supporting practices that violate human rights. A recent report by Human Rights Watch highlighted instances where Syrian refugees attempting to leave Lebanon were pushed back by Cypriot authorities and deported by Lebanese security agencies as part of efforts to contain migration.
According to the report, based on interviews with 16 Syrians attempting to flee Lebanon on smuggler boats, 15 of them experienced human rights violations at the hands of Lebanese and/or Cypriot authorities. Both Lebanon and Cyprus have faced criticism from rights groups for their treatment of migrants and asylum seekers, with officials from the two countries citing overwhelming migration pressures.
Lebanon, grappling with a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts the world’s highest refugee population per capita, including approximately 775,000 registered Syrian refugees and many more unregistered. Lebanese officials have urged Western nations to either resettle the refugees or assist in their return to Syria. Lebanon has received substantial funding from the European Union and European countries for border control measures as part of an agreement with Cyprus to combat migrant smuggling.
The report also detailed cases where Syrian refugees intercepted by the Lebanese army while trying to reach Cyprus by sea were taken to the Lebanon-Syria border and left on the Syrian side, where some were allegedly detained by the Syrian army or extorted by smugglers for passage back to Lebanon. Cyprus, on the other hand, suspended processing Syrian asylum applications in April and was accused of forcibly turning back asylum seekers arriving from Lebanon.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that both Lebanese and Cypriot authorities used excessive force during arrests and detention. The European Union and European countries provided Lebanon with financial assistance for border management projects primarily focused on preventing irregular migration, with additional funds allocated through 2025. Cyprus justified its actions by stating its limited capacity to host more migrants while emphasizing the need to balance legal obligations with practical constraints.
Lebanon’s General Security agency emphasized adherence to international human rights law standards in coordinating deportations of individuals caught attempting to leave the country. The European Commission responded to the report by highlighting the need for national authorities to investigate allegations of human rights violations and prosecute any wrongdoing.
