President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, met with the Deputy Head of the European Union Mission to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Hedda Samson, to discuss the political process in Syria and the reasons for its deadlock.
Al-Bahra provided a detailed overview of the conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, highlighting the violations they face amid the current campaign of deportation and forced return, including the plight of political prisoners detained in Roumieh prison. He emphasized the continued lack of appropriate conditions for their voluntary, dignified, and safe return to Syria.
During the meeting, the importance of increased international efforts to prevent these violations and halt the deterioration of the situation in Lebanon was stressed.
The two parties discussed the issue of humanitarian aid, noting its decreasing size and exploring ways to increase the effectiveness of the current budget by supporting productive capabilities in areas where displaced people are located, particularly through farmer support programs.
Al-Bahra pointed out the significant deficit in securing funding for humanitarian support budgets pledged by donor countries. The budget was set at $4.07 billion for 2024, but actual funding has not exceeded $200 million, covering only 5.4% of the total amount by the end of April 2024. He stressed the need to urge donor countries to fulfill their obligations, especially before the ministerial meeting at the eighth Brussels Conference.
In the same vein, the two parties discussed the issue of early recovery and the necessity of managing all its aspects impartially, ensuring that work and project distribution are conducted fairly according to population distribution across all regions of Syria, without any discrimination.
Al-Bahra also emphasized the need for all efforts to focus on implementing UN Security Council Resolution No. 2254 of 2015. He reiterated that the root causes of the humanitarian crisis are political, and there is no sustainable solution except through the reunification of Syria’s land and people and the creation of a safe and neutral environment that encourages refugees and displaced persons to return voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. This can only be achieved by fully and strictly implementing UN resolutions on Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
