Human Rights Watch urges Lebanon to protect Syrian refugees, enact reform to curb rights abuse

BEIRUT – An international rights group says Lebanon has failed to enact political reforms to curb human rights abuses, promote women's rights, and protect migrants and refuges as the country grapples with spillover effects from neighboring Syria's civil war.

Human Rights Watch hailed the Lebanese government for keeping its borders open for tens of thousands of Syrians who fled their homes because of fighting between rebels and government troops. However, the U.S.-based watchdog called on authorities to do more to protect refugees from being detained by security services or deported despite a risk of persecution by the Syrian regime.

In comments released Thursday in the Lebanon section of its annual report, HRW also urged lawmakers to amend laws that discriminate against women, including those that govern access to divorce and child custody.