The Plight of the Rightless: Mapping and Understanding Statelessness in Tripoli-V1.3 Findings and Detailed Recommendations OBJECTIVE FINDINGS • • SCALE • • • • • AT RISK • • Estimated population in Lebanon: 27,000 stateless persons Estimated population in Tripoli: 2,200 stateless persons Three main hotspots: Tebbeneh (30%), Beddawi (26%) and Qobbeh (20%) Estimated population in the future: Stateless population can double in 15 years Violence 35% of stateless persons have been arrested 15% borrowed someone else’s ID to access health services Statelessness increases fraud and, in the light of the Syrian refugee crisis, can trigger illegal immigration Statelessness causes deprivation but also increases likelihood of crime and violence • • • • • • • • RECOMMENDATIONS Raise public awareness around the issue of statelessness in Lebanon (statelessness in situ). Separate the issue from that of statelessness in the migratory context. Recognize the actual number of non-refugee stateless persons in Lebanon. Depoliticize the problem through a campaign which will put the solution at a technical level. Start a nationwide mapping of stateless people in collaboration with the Central Administration of Statistics and with the support of the Council of Ministers. Collect, collate, and consolidate data related to stateless individuals from relevant public entities. Create a hotline for information and support to stateless persons at the Ministry of Interior (MOI). This hotline will be temporary and shall last until permanent solutions have been implemented. Give highest priority to the resolution of stateless cases which, despite small numbers, are extremely vulnerable and can have a damaging impact on the society. 9