Abstract:
The issue of border control and human rights has become one of the main political agendas
when addressing global issues and has raised concern amongst a great number of scholars on
an international level. This has the consequence of making the issue a rather disputed in nature
as different actors in different positions address it from different perspectives and assign
different meanings to it. My thesis was motivated by a pursuit to gain a better understanding of
this ambiguity and array of approaches and further, how border control between Lebanon and
Syria and human rights is understood and approached within the discursive phenomenon. In
order to achieve my objective, I conducted an assessment study of all research made in this
topic. In order to gain primary information I carried out meetings and conducted fieldwork by
visiting the three selected Lebanese border areas (Il Ka’a, Aarsal, Yanta).I undertook a sampling
and analysis of the relevant data for the purpose of reaching viable outcomes which have the
potential to preserve the human rights of Lebanese border communities while guaranteeing
efficient border control between Lebanon and Syria. The expected outcome of this thesis is
identifying solutions and recommendations that allow the implementation of border control
without violation of human rights. In other words, the thesis will argue for the possibility of
“soft” border control between Lebanon and Syria, preserving proficient control of border
crossing points whilst ensuring Lebanese border communities their basic human rights.
