Uprooted Syrians mulling return mustn’t be pushed, says UNHCR
- 10 December 2024, 12:00 AM
- UNCHR
Summary
The United Nations refugee agency on Friday urged countries not to pressure displaced Syrians into returning home as the war-torn country remains unsafe and unstable.
The appeal from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) comes as some countries consider repatriating Syrian refugees, citing improved security conditions in certain parts of Syria.
However, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, warned that the vast majority of Syrian refugees are not yet ready to return home.
“The conditions for a safe, dignified and sustainable return are simply not yet met in Syria,” Grandi said.
“The conflict is ongoing, there is widespread human rights violations, and the infrastructure and economy have been devastated,” he added.
Concerns
The UNHCR’s concerns are echoed by many human rights groups, which have documented ongoing abuses in Syria, including arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
They also point to the fact that much of Syria’s infrastructure has been destroyed, and that there is a lack of basic services such as healthcare and education.
“It is important to remember that Syria is still a very dangerous place,” said Lama Fakih, the Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
“Returning refugees to Syria would be putting them at great risk,” she added.
Call for support
The UNHCR called on countries to continue to provide support to Syrian refugees, and to help create conditions that would allow them to return home safely and voluntarily.
“The international community has a responsibility to ensure that Syrian refugees are not forced to return to a country where they face persecution, violence, and instability,” Grandi said.
Conclusion
The UNHCR’s appeal is a reminder that the Syrian conflict is far from over, and that the vast majority of Syrian refugees are not yet ready to return home.
Countries must continue to provide support to Syrian refugees and to work towards creating a safe and stable environment in Syria that would allow them to return home voluntarily and with dignity.
Uprooted Syrians mulling return mustn’t be pushed, says UNHCR
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