Date: Sep 3, 2019 Source: The Daily Star Three Syrians arrested after deportation: HRW BEIRUT: At least three Syrians have been arrested upon returning to Syria after being deported by Lebanon’s General Security, Human Rights Watch announced Monday. “There is no evidence that any of the three could meaningfully challenge their deportation in a Lebanese court,” HRW said in a statement. Lebanese authorities are able to deport Syrian refugees who entered the country illegally after April 24, 2019, after decisions made earlier in May this year by the Higher Defense Council and General Security. Prior to the new rules, Syrians who had entered Lebanon without legal residency documents might be arrested, but were generally not deported. General Security, the organization responsible for entry to and exit from Lebanon, told The Daily Star last week that between May 21 and Aug. 28, 2019, it had deported 2,731 Syrians who had illegally entered after April 24. However, Human Rights Watch alleged that “General Security has in at least three cases deported people who entered Lebanon before April 24.” There is no indication that these three cases coincide with the three Syrians who were arrested by Syrian authorities after deportation. Lama Fakih, Human Rights Watch’s acting regional director, pointed out in the statement that “Lebanon is legally obligated to allow people to challenge their deportation and argue for protection. And it is forbidden by law to return anyone to face persecution or torture.” General Security could not immediately be reached for comment.