The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Department of Refugee Affairs held a research session under the title “Syrian Displacement in Light of the UN Response.” Participants included SOC’s President Salem Al-Meslet and members of the political committee and the General Assembly.
Al-Meslet decried the lukewarm international response to the displacement and refugee crisis that was caused by the Assad regime, Russia, Iran and its terrorist militias. He said that the IDP camps shelter Syrians whose dignity and pride prevented them from remaining under the regime’s control and suffer humiliation. He stressed the need for a radical solution to the conditions of the refugees and IDP, which can only be achieved by the overthrow of the murderous regime and holding it accountable.
The session included a presentation of the “1998 Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement,” which is the main UN reference as is the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The session also discussed the experiences of countries that have suffered from prolonged internal displacement. It highlighted the major problems the IDPs are facing, such as the problems related to work, housing, security, mobility, access to personal documents and family reunification, as well as rights related to participation in political life and local administration.
The session also addressed the role of the SOC in finding solutions to displacement and the need to develop a national plan for durable solutions. It also stressed the need to address the effects of displacement, draft the necessary legislation and laws, and establish executive institutions for the affairs of IDPs. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
