Expulsion of Palestinian Refugees from Germany to Lebanon - Update 

In the last issue of ARTICLE 74 Bulletin (no. 21) we published a joint appeal (INAMO-Information Project Near and Middle East/Berlin and Alternative Information Center-Bethlehem) calling upon the German government to abstain from the expulsion of Palestinian refugees to Lebanon. 

In the meantime, the German government has confirmed that it continues its efforts for obtaining a re-admission agreement with the Lebanese government before the end of this year. However, it appears that no date for a meeting with the Lebanese government has been set so far. At the same time, preparations for expulsions are being conducted; German authorities submit the files of those to be deported to the Lebanese embassy in Bonn. The latter inquires via Beirut if these persons are registered in Lebanon. 
 In general, there is growing public and political pressure in Germany to deport all illegal immigrants, irrespective of re-admission agreements with the respective governments, and/or to sign re-admission agreements even with non-governmental bodies. The German government estimates that the number of Palestinian refugees who will be obliged to leave its state territory is 9,600 (in addition to 10,809 Lebanese citizens). It has stated repeatedly that there will be no massive collective expulsions. 550 person were deported from Germany to Lebanon between January and August 1997, irrespective of the German plans for a re-admission agreement with Lebanon. 
In Palestine, the German expulsion plans were received as added proof of the international conspiracy against Palestinian refugees. Both the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and the Palestinian National Council (PNC) - Department for Refugee Affairs sent letters to the meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo in September 1997. They called upon the Arab government to abstain from taking measures which will negatively effect the rights and status of Palestinian refugees prior to a negotiated political solution. Dozens of  international organizations have expressed their support of the appeal on behalf of Palestinian refugees in Germany. (For additional information contact: INAMO, fax. 0049-30-8623849, email: [email protected] or BADIL, fax. 00972-2-747346, email: [email protected]).