The Palestinian Foundation for Human Rights (witness) is
following up on the developments related to the new implementing decrees on the
permit to practice nursing for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, following
direct communication with the Nurses Syndicate in Lebanon, Mrs. Abeer Al-Kurdi
Alama, and with a number of Palestinian nurses affected by the recent measures.
Based on these follow-ups, the Foundation concluded that there are serious
obstacles that prevent the Palestinian nurse from exercising his right to work
and create clear discrimination compared to his Lebanese colleagues.
The decrees issued in September 2025, which are linked to
the 2021 decision, imposed new conditions for non-Lebanese to obtain a permit
to practice, most notably requiring the hospital to submit an official
declaration proving its need for employment, and issuing an affidavit
confirming that no Lebanese candidate has applied for the position. The
Foundation believes that this latter condition is impossible and practically
unworkable, as hospitals cannot issue such a statement, making the procedures
for granting permits to Palestinian refugees almost impossible.
These practices constitute a clear discrimination against
the Palestinian nurse, who is subject to conditions that are not imposed on the
Lebanese nurse, despite the fact that he possesses the same qualifications and
competencies. In light of the crisis in the health sector in Lebanon and the
severe shortage of nursing staff, the continued imposition of these obstacles
deprives hospitals of qualified cadres trained by the Lebanese education system
itself.
Shahed believes that these decrees contradict the principles
of justice and equality, and Lebanon's human rights obligations, and contribute
to disrupting the future of hundreds of graduates and pushing them towards
unemployment and exclusion, instead of integrating them and benefiting from
their competencies within Lebanese society.
Based on the above, witness- calls on His Excellency the
Lebanese Minister of Health to urgently retract or amend these decrees to
ensure the removal of unrealistic obstacles and the adoption of fairer
professional standards based on competence and qualifications only. The
Foundation also calls for a serious dialogue between the Ministry of Health,
the Nurses Syndicate and human rights bodies to agree on a fair and transparent
mechanism that guarantees the right of everyone to work without discrimination.
Shahed confirms that it will continue to follow up on this
file with the official and international concerned authorities, in defense of
the Palestinian nurse's right to decent work, and to protect a fair legal
environment that reflects the values of human rights and the public interest in
Lebanon.
Palestinian Organization for Human Rights (witness)