We are informed however that those who have crossed over are being told they should not change location, as many do not have any identity or travel documents, having fled too quickly. Some also crossed into Lebanon via informal checkpoints. There are reports that Syrian refugees have also been warned against speaking to the media or human rights organization.

We are concerned with this situation, as we believe refugees may be at risk of being forced back to Syria. Lebanon is obliged to protect these individuals, as stated in art.3 of the Convention against Torture (CAT), which Lebanon must respect: "No State Party shall expel, return ("refouler") or extradite a person to another State where there are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture". We call on the Lebanese authorities to respect their international engagements and ensure the refugees are not forced to return to Syria, and ensure their rights are respected

For example, Alkarama has informed the Un Special Rapporteur on Torture that a group of seven people was arrested after they had crossed the border on 16 May 2011. They were handed over to General Security, the Lebanese security agency responsible for foreigners, on 18 May 2011. They have been detained at Koubba prison since 23 May, accused of entering Lebanon 'illegally', and we fear they may be sent back to Syria against their will where they are at risk of torture. We are informed that two more people were wounded crossing the border from Syria and sought medical help in Lebanon on Thursday 19 May, at the Koubba Governmental hospital, where they were placed under the surveillance of the Lebanese General Security until they overcame their injuries. They were then sent to Koubba prison on 30 May 2011. These individuals do not appear to have committed any recognizable crime in Syria that would justify their detention, but rather had been fleeing violence and persecution in their own country. They should be immediately charged or released.

Here are the names of the above-mentioned detainees:

1. Shehade Al Youssef, شهادة اليوسف,

2. Ahmed Al Youssef, أحمد اليوسف, aged 20

3. Khaled Al Youssef, خالد اليوسف, aged 45

4. Mohamed Al Youssef, محمد اليوسف,

5. Shadi Al Ali, شادي العلي, aged 20

6. Mohamed Al Ali, محمد العالي, aged 19

7. Ahmad Sulayman, أحمد سليمان

8. Mostafa Nasser Ayash, مصطفى ناصر عياش

9. Alaa Hazem Al Basha , علاء حازم الباشا

Alkarama is also concerned with the fate of dozens of Lebanese citizens, interrogated daily by the Lebanese intelligence services for providing support to Syrian refugees.

Alkarama calls on the Lebanese authorities to respect their international obligations and to ensure that individuals detained by them should not be exposed to ill-treatment while in detention, and that their conditions of detention should be in respect of the Standards Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.