27-December-2020
The town of Minya in the Minya-Denniyeh district on the evening of Saturday, December 26th, witnessed a dispute between young men from the Al-Mir family and Syrian workers from a refugee camp, which resulted in injuries between the two parties, and consequently prompted young men from the Al-Mir family to burn down the entire camp, and displace all its residents in a severe cold atmosphere.
The fire led to devouring all the tents in “Camp 9”, which numbered about 100, which led to the displacement of all camp residents, the estimated 75 families.
The Civil Defence vehicles arrived late, as they managed to put out the fire after it destroyed all the tents. The competent security authorities did not arrest any person on charges of causing the fire, noting that the burning process took place in the presence of tens of people, most of whom were filming what was happening.
The fire caused the displaced families living in the camp to seek refuge in the nearby fields, while some tried to reach Tripoli (which is about 10 km away), in a cold atmosphere.
It is worth noting the frequent attacks and burning of Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon based on dispute between Lebanese employers and Syrian workers without protection from the local authorities whose duty is to protect refugees and workers’ rights. Such attacks are instigated by some Lebanese officials and the complicity of tribal and sectarian ties against the Syrian refugees who suffer from insecurity and living, deterioration and poor health situation.
The Syrian Human Rights Committee condemns the burning of Syrian refugee tents by some individuals in the absence of the protection of the Lebanese authorities, and calls on the latter to do their duty and prevent repeated crimes against the Syrian refugees on its territory