The Office of Refugee Affairs submitted its annual report to the Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) General Assembly at its 54th meeting which concluded on Wednesday.
The Office’s Coordinator, Adnan Rahmoun, gave an overview on the Office’s work in following up the affairs of Syrian refugees in the various host countries, helping resolve the problems they are facing, and help settle their legal status.
Rahmoun highlighted the figures compiled by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and research centers detailing the numbers of Syrian refugees and their distribution. He said that according to these figures, six out of ten people left their homes for various reasons, adding that this percentage has not been seen anywhere in the world in recent decades.
Rahmoun also talked about the conditions of Syrian refugees in the host countries, pointing to major violations against Syrian refugees in some countries, especially in Lebanon. He stressed the need for the United Nations to assume its responsibilities with regards to protecting refugees and preventing repeated attacks on them.
Rahmoun stressed that the return of refugees depends on achieving a political transition and creating a safe, stable environment in the country, adding that Syrian refugees refuse to return unless a political solution is reached that guarantees their safety and security and preserves their rights and dignity.
Rahmoun pointed out that the Russian calls for the return of the Syrian refugees had drastically failed, stressing that these calls were no more than an attempt to rehabilitate the Assad regime. He said that these calls did not meet the conditions for a political transition, nor did they receive any international support. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
