President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr Al-Hariri, sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod, regarding the recent decision to deport Syrian refugees.
Al-Hariri pointed out that some Syrian refugees in Denmark contacted the SOC to inform it of an increase in the number of cases of Syrian refugees whose protection residence cards are not being renewed and of deportation orders being issued in some cases by the Danish Immigration Service.
Al-Hariri said that these refugees are still exposed to the risks and arbitrary dangers that made their lives threatened, and due to which they left Syria in the first place. He expressed the SOC’s deep concerned over these cases, particularly that the criteria that has been established for the returning of refugees per relevant resolutions and other international standards is that it be voluntary, safe, and dignified.
Moreover, al-Hariri called for following in the footsteps of the Netherlands, which maintained its policy with regards to protection of Syrian refugees, with the exception of “individuals whose evaluation shows that there is no danger to this person returning, especially since he or she traveled voluntarily to Syria, then returned to the Netherlands without any harm, and the persons who submitted the asylum had participated in activities supportive of the Syrian regime.”
He called for taking urgent, tangible steps to stop and reverse the decisions and actions by the Danish Immigration Department.
He also called for resuming the previous policy of extending the protection for Syrian refugees, until such time that their return would be voluntary, safe, and dignified, according to assessment by the relevant international bodies.
Furthermore, al-Hariri called for supporting the political process to achieve a comprehensive political solution through the full implementation of UNSCR 2254, as the only way for real political transition and sustainable peace in Syria and the region.
He also called for ensuring the provision of a safe and neutral environment, within which the political solution can be realized, and which is also the necessary environment for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of all displaced persons, including refugees. He underscored that any talks about refugees return before reaching a just political solution reminds us of the Russian plan of refugees return on summer of 2018. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
