Coordinator of the Refugee and Displaced Persons Affairs Working Group in the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Ahmad Baccora, has welcomed the report issued by the German Foreign Ministry concerning the risks associated with the deportation or return of Syrian refugees. The report highlights the ongoing humanitarian and human rights challenges in Syria, where safety cannot be guaranteed amid a backdrop of widespread rights violations.
Baccora emphasized that the German Foreign Ministry’s latest report underscores the necessity of a safe and stable environment for the voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees, achievable only through a political solution. This solution, he noted, must align with UN resolutions, particularly emphasizing the importance of the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Resolutions 2118 and 2254.
Baccora stressed that “safety” should not merely be a political classification, but rather a reflection of the tangible experiences of individuals in their daily lives.
He further highlighted the grim reality portrayed in the report, depicting the enduring suffering of the Syrian people over the past 13 years. This suffering, Bakkoura explained, stems from continuous crimes against civilians, the pervasive presence of regime militias and sectarian gangs, and a profound economic collapse resulting from the Assad regime’s exploitation of state resources in its war against the Syrian population.
Commenting on reports of a new agreement to return Syrian asylum seekers from Cyprus to Lebanon, Baccora expressed grave concern, citing the German Foreign Ministry’s findings. He asserted that any such returns would jeopardize the lives of asylum seekers, emphasizing that such agreements contravene international and European law, offering no guarantees for their protection.
The German Foreign Ministry’s report warns of significant risks associated with deporting or facilitating the “voluntary” return of Syrian refugees from Germany to their home country, citing ongoing safety concerns. It underscores the dire humanitarian, economic, and human rights situation prevailing in many parts of Syria. The report highlights the personal security threats faced by returnees, as the regime often labels them as traitors, subjecting them to systematic abuse and a denial of their rights.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
