States, borders and human rights. (c2010)

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.