Trapped: Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon

The right to freedom of movement forms one of the cornerstones of the international human rights regime and the Lebanese legal system. It is a right that everyone ought to enjoy regardless of race, national origin, residence status, religion or any other criteria. Yet, an alarming 5% of people in Lebanon today do not enjoy this basic human right. Specifically, 250 000 Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon suffer from various degrees of restrictions on their freedom of movement. Those restrictions vary from limits on their right to go out of their employer's house outside of their work hours, to confiscation of passports, forced confinement, and official and unofficial restrictions on their ability to reside independently. 
This report finds that the freedom of movement and the freedom of choosing one’s place of residence are basic human rights recognized both under the Universal  Declaration  of  Human  Rights  (UDHR) and  the  International  Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights (ICCPR) that Lebanon has ratified. Those rights are also recognized under  the  Lebanese  constitution. In  spite  of  this, MDWs’  right  to freely  choose  their  place  of  residence  is  undermined  by  General Security. From  the  cases  we  have  documented,  General  Security is refusing  to  renew  the  residence  permits  of  MDWs’  who  do  not reside with their employers. This  report  argues  that  while  General  Security is legally mandated to ‘monitor’  foreigners in Lebanon, it has  no  authority  to  enact measures  that  contradict  provisions  or legal  principles  enshrined in the Lebanese laws or constitution.

Publisher: 
Insan Association - Defending Human Rights
Publishing Date: 
Friday, 1 January 2016
Resource Type: 
Studies and Reports
Theme: 
Migrant Workers, Human Rights & Protection
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