Group urges Lebanon to protect Syrian refugees

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon has failed to enact political reforms to curb human rights abuses, promote women’s rights, and protect migrants and refuges as the country grapples with spillover effects from civil war in neighboring Syria, an international human rights group said Thursday.

Human Rights Watch hailed the Lebanese government for keeping its borders open for tens of thousands of Syrians who fled their homes because of fighting between rebels and government troops. However, the U.S.-based watchdog called on authorities to do more to protect refugees from being detained by security services or deported despite a risk of persecution by the Syrian regime.