The report Struggling to survive: Slavery and exploitation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, elaborated by Coventry University with the support of The Freedom Fund, outlines the escalating risk of slavery and human trafficking among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Key findings include the prevalence of child labour among Syrian refugee children, forced early marriages for girls, and instances of survival sex among women to secure basic necessities. Forced labour is also common, driven by poverty and limited legal employment opportunities. While there is no evidence of organ trafficking, slavery and trafficking remain serious concerns.
The recommendations target both the Lebanese government and international stakeholders. They include ratifying international conventions, improving anti-trafficking legislation, and mainstreaming awareness and response to forced labor in programming. Additionally, the establishment of a Slavery Data Monitoring Centre is proposed to collate evidence and monitor slavery and trafficking cases systematically.
Click here or on the image below to access the report, and click here to access an Arabic translation of the executive summary and recommendations.
