Palestinians in Beirut Hope for More Rights

29 June 2010

Photo: AP

A Palestinian man shouts slogans during a protest to demand civil rights for Palestinians refugees, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, June 27, 2010.

Lebanese politicians are considering easing restrictions on Palestinian refugees, after 62 years.

Like the tangled electricity wires at

Bourj al Barajne camp

outside Beirut, the situation of Palestinians in Lebanon is complicated.

Despite the fact that many have been living in Lebanon for generations, they are still refugees, and as such are forced to live in squalid camps, are denied access to the state's social security, health-care or education systems, and can only work in menial jobs. Many are growing frustrated with their conditions.

Abou el Walid is a community leader at the Bourj al Barajne. “We are suffering,” he said in his native Arabic. “We lived the hardship and we do not need anything but living in a decent way. We want to be proud; we need the right to work and the right to own property, and rights to live as a human being.”

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, there are an estimated 400,000 Palestinian refugees living in 12 camps throughout Lebanon. They are descendants of families who fled the fighting in 1948 that eventually created the state of Israel.

Brahim Al Ashwah is a 47-year-old father of six who also lives in the camp. He says he wants to buy a house for his son so that he can get married, but does not have the money.