Vice President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) for Foreign Affairs, Abdulahad Astepho, praised a Dutch court’s decision to stop the Netherlands from automatically sending Syrian refugees to Denmark after Copenhagen ruled that parts of regime-controlled areas in Syria were safe for refugees to be returned to.
Denmark had earlier begun procedures to deport Syrian refugees, which prompted some of these to flee to other European countries for fear of deportation.
Astepho described the Netherlands’ decision as brave, and proves that this country is among the best in terms of honoring the laws that were enacted on the basis of respect for human rights, freedom and justice.
He added that the Dutch move confirms that Denmark’s decision was wrong and unjust, and endangers the lives of Syrians, especially as many reports confirmed the Assad regime’s persistence in its brutal policies towards the Syrian people. Reports also indicated that returnees to Syria were subjected to arrest and torture, with many being executed by the Assad regime forces.
Astepho stressed the need for Denmark to reconsider the decisions that it took on a wrong and untrue basis, calling on all European countries to which Syrian refugees have arrived from Denmark to follow in the Netherlands’ footsteps and prevent the deportation of any Syrian refugee to the regime-held areas. He also called for abiding by the position of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees which announced that Syria is not safe for refugees return.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
