Publications
Palestine
The Palestinian association for human rights (witness)
Exodus
This book tells the story of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, the story of those remaining at their camps, those who endured the bitterness of seeking refuge and suffered the catastrophes of war, time and again, those denied their human rights, and those who are forgotten under the roofs of their shabby houses.
The importance of this publication comes from the fact that it presents, through expressive photographs, the story and tragedy of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon's camps; those whose story began at the outset of the Catastrophe of Palestine in 1948. This is when the tragedy started, that of a people who were destined to leave behind their country and their land under the weight of the barbaric Israeli arms, to face an unknown future in many countries. More than 140 thousands of them reached Lebanon and were later known as Lebanon's refugees; it is from here that the story began. It is the story of children who, while still in their camps, never forget their homeland. In spite of the sad memories of the past, they still have hope for a bright future. In spite of the distance and the pain, they still dream of return, this return which is a sacred right to them and to all those driven out of their countries, a right guaranteed first by divine laws and stipulated in the UN Resolution 194.
Across the pages of this book, we live the worries and sorrows of our beloved Palestine… but this time, they are narrated to us by the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon's camps. And as the dear reader will find in the words and pictures of this book, they stress that their Palestinian identity is deep-rooted in them, and their adherence to their rights is firmly established. That they have but one choice… that they hold within their hearts but one wish… that of return.
Today, more than 290 thousand Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon, scattered among 12 camps and 45 gatherings. These gatherings are disorganized, are not provided with government services, not even those of UNRWA. As for the camps that endure a scarcity of services, where no building is allowed, that have garbage accumulated at their entrances, and that have no drainpipes for sewage, they are geographically spread as follows:
In the city of Sidon, the largest Palestinian camp in Lebanon, the Ein al-Hilweh camp, is situated; in Sidon also, there is the al-Miyyeh-w-miyyeh camp.
In the city of Tyre, there are al-Rashidiyah, Bourj al-Shemali, and al-Bus camps. As for al-Jaleel camp, it is located at the entrance of the city of Baalbek.
Bourj al-Barajneh is the largest of the Beirut camps, while Shatila is their worst. In Beirut also, there are the Dbayeh and Mar Elias camps.
In the north of the northern city of Tripoli, al-Beddawi and Nahr al-Bared camps are situated.
This book is the fruit of a cooperative effort between the "Witness" Association in Lebanon and the Center for Palestinian Justice in Sweden. These associations work along those who ache because of the injustice that afflict the Palestinian people at all levels. For much of what the Palestinian refugees suffer are flagrant violations of the simplest of human rights.
The historic and national responsibilities demand of all parties, Palestinian, Arabic, Islamic and international, to hasten to lift this injustice forced on the Palestinian nationals living in Lebanon regarding their natural rights to housing, education and medical care, until they gain their right of return to their beloved country, Palestine.
Finally, we must stress that Palestine is for its children… whether they live in one of the camps… or in any city anywhere… an issue of destiny… it is the return… it is the return.
Palestinian Association for Human Rights Witness
concerned with Palestinian refugees in lebanon and human rights education,Beirut, Corniche al-Mazraa,
Riviera Center, 4th floor
P.O.Box: 15-5390
mobile: 00961-3-253196
telefax: 00961 1-308013
email: pahrw@pahrw.org
website: www.pahrw.org
