The Coordinator of the Office of Refugee Affairs in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salim Idris, criticized the Lebanese Minister of the Displaced, Issam Sharaf El-Din, for his recent statements regarding Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Idris stated that the harmony and understanding between Minister Sharaf El-Din and the Assad regime should not come as a surprise, considering the minister’s previous strong opposition to the European Union’s provision of cash aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Idris pointed out that Minister Sharaf El-Din seems to be oblivious to the deteriorating economic and security conditions in Syria, as he agreed with the Assad regime to deport Syrian refugees from Lebanon under the pretext that decent living conditions are available in the regime-held areas. He emphasized that this decision ignores the fact that people in the regime-controlled areas are desperately trying to leave the country due to the dire reality they face.
Furthermore, Idris emphasized that the European Union’s decision to continue supporting Syrian refugees in Lebanon is not biased towards the refugees. He highlighted that the United Nations, based on real facts, reports, and data, maintains that Syria is still unsafe for refugee return.
Idris added that all Syrians wish to return to their homes and properties, but the fear of an unknown fate in regime prisons prevents them from considering return at this time. He emphasized that if the security conditions were favorable, the refugees would not hesitate to make the decision to return.
The recent statements made by Minister Sharaf El-Din to the UAE newspaper Al-Ittihad on Monday stirred controversy. In his statements, the minister expressed mutual trust with the Syrian government and commitment to the points of understanding reached last year on the safe return of refugees. He claimed that Syrian officials have expressed their willingness to receive 180,000 refugees and that there are shelter centers prepared to provide facilities, healthcare, and education for them, ensuring a decent life for returnees.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
