Urgent Call: IOM Should Open Shelters for Displaced and Stranded Migrant Workers in Lebanon
The Case of Abolishing All Honorary Consulates in Lebanon
31/07/2024
Abolish Kafala,Announcements
For years, migrant workers in Lebanon have repeatedly expressed their frustrations with their diplomatic representatives, specifically, their honorary consuls. Their protests were only met with indifference to the workers’ struggle and hardships of life under Kafala.
The systematic abuse and negligence of honorary consulates peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing collapse of the economy, creating “fertile grounds for severe human rights abuses.” These violations include, but are not limited to:
- Abusive working conditions;
- Physical and sexual violence;
- Forced labor;
- Human trafficking;
- Prolonged detentions, including arbitrary detentions;
- Deportations.
Our research covers 4 years of advocacy work against the Kenyan consulate’s abuses in the country based on ARM’s experience in working closely with migrant communities, supporting their self-advocacy attempts.
This paper aims to look more deeply into the role of honorary consulates by understanding their structure, history and their role in international law. The report highlights the corruption of these institutions.
Read the full research report below, or click here to download the research paper as a PDF document.
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At the Anti-Racism Movement (ARM), we are constantly working on a multitude of different activities and initiatives. Most of our activities are only possible with the help of dedicated and passionate volunteers who work in collaboration with our core team.
The Anti-Racism Movement (ARM) was launched in 2010 as a grassroots collective by young Lebanese feminist activists in collaboration with migrant workers and migrant domestic workers.
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