62 RELYING ON MUKHTARS Mukhtars are among the primary authorities responsible for handling issues related to stateless individuals., it seems that many mukhtars either lack a comprehensive understanding of their own role and the rights of stateless individuals, or deliberately choose to remain ignorant for discriminatory reasons. In depth interviews were conducted with 55 mukhtars in Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon, during which their knowledge was evaluated with regards to statelessness and the rights attached to this condition under the Lebanese legal and administrative framework. Fig 23. Mukhtars knowledge on the rights of stateless persons in Lebanon 75% 80% 67% 64% 42% 42% 36% The result of the assessment showed a rather limited knowledge, an observation very similar to the situation in Akkar. Mukhtars are key figures in enabling stateless persons to access basic documents that can be issued for them. The lack of awareness of mukhtars hence increases the risk of depriving stateless persons of their rights and of support. Among the limited identification documents that can be issued by mukhtars are the Ta’arif cards or certificates, which are key formalities to allow access to some of their rights and the ability to move freely. As such, a large proportion of mukhtars (67%) refuse to grant Ta’arif cards for various reasons such as fear of liability, uncertainty of person’s origins, or discrimination. The proportion was only 13% in Akkar, where mukhtars showed more leniency to issue the documents, relying on personal family connections or geographic proximity. 14% Access to education Access hospitals on their own expenses Presenting official exams (G9 and G12) Beirut and Mount Lebanon 67% of contacted mukhtars do not grant Ta’arif cards for stateless Issuance of a driver's license Akkar 50% Witnesses Main criteria for granting Ta’arif cards (multiple) 44% Personal family connections 22% Birth certificates © 2023 Siren Associates. All Rights Reserved.