News | 25 05 2020
As part of concurrent sessions organized by the Council of the European Union during the proceedings of the Third Donors’ Conference, which is currently being held in Brussels, Belgium, session has been aimed at developing digital solutions to support Syrians, empowering citizens and civil society, as well as promoting entrepreneurship and involving Syrian youth and women.
In the presence of a number of civil society organizations, a meeting entitled "Prospects for Return: Now Is Not Right Time" was held on Tuesday. Participants discussed the threats of the unsafe return and the necessary conditions to encourage voluntary, dignified and safe return on a large scale to the international community and the European Union in particular. The meeting was attended by representatives of Syrians for Truth and Justice Organization, Dr. Mousa Zahid, Bassam al-Ahmad, along with Rabi Moheisen.
In an interview with Rozana, Zahid pointed out to the gaps in the reports issued by the United Nations, as well as the ambiguity of the real numbers of the displaced and the refugees. He added to Rozana regarding this matter: "The talk about the return of more than a million people to Syria means that the conditions have become currently favorable for the repatriation of the refugees. We are aware of the intentions of some international parties to push for the refugees’ repatriation. Therefore, there is a need to shed the light on the reality of the current situation. We understand that this serves the interests of the countries hosting the refugees. However, we would prefer to have a continuous dialogue in the hope that there would be individual action by these countries."
For his part, al-Ahmad pointed out in an interview with Rozana that: "The importance of this meeting comes with the increasing talks about the completion of the military operations, especially as there are cases of refugees and displaced persons who have been repatriated to Syria but have been subjected to arrest and disappearance."
Al-Ahmad continued: "In principle, none of the Syrians refuse to return to the country. However, there is a limited view towards this matter, as there are aspects that are not talked about. We consider that the roots of the problem still exist. There is no political solution, as there have been cases of people who have returned to the country, but have been arrested. Therefore, we are trying to argue that pushing refugees back to Syria now without a political solution will put them at risk. "
He pointed to the Syrian regime's revenge against its political opponents, through several forms, including the confiscation of properties.
At the end of the sessions, it has been stressed that the current crisis in Syria is an extended crisis, and that the figures on the return of the refugees do not form a large reliable index, but rather show the need to support the lives of the refugees in the hosting countries.
This means the need to develop policies to provide help to those who wish to return, provide support to hosting communities, and to stress that without safe conditions there can be no safe repatriation of the refugees.