President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) Hadi al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission Badr Jamous, and Head of the Syrian Interim Government Abdurrahman Mustafa met with Head of the Turkish Immigration Department Atilla Toros in Ankara on Thursday. The meeting aimed to discuss issues related to Syrian refugees in Türkiye and ways to develop relevant policies and laws.
The Turkish side included Yaşar Aksanyar, General Director of Harmonization and Communication, and Bayram Yalınsu, General Director of International Protection. The meeting covered various issues related to the situation of Syrian refugees in Türkiye. Al-Bahra highlighted several important points reflecting a comprehensive vision to improve the conditions of Syrian refugees, focusing on enhancing their legal rights and protecting them from practices that could affect their stability. He emphasized the importance of developing policies to facilitate the integration of Syrians into Turkish society and addressing the challenges they face in this context.
Al-Bahra stressed the need to address the social, economic, and legal challenges faced by Syrian refugees and to reduce discrimination in personal property to avoid security threats from those affected by racist rhetoric. He also discussed with the Turkish side the administrative and organizational aspects governing the work and movement of Syrian refugees in Türkiye, aiming to positively engage Syrian refugees in the country. The issue of deporting Syrian refugees to northern Syria was also addressed, with a focus on avoiding mistakes in this process and rectifying any issues to ensure refugees’ rights.
President al-Bahra underscored the importance of keeping Syrians away from internal political issues and working together to combat hate speech and racist practices from certain social media influencers. Recommendations and proposals were presented to enhance the relationship and legal status of Syrian refugees in Türkiye, facilitate visits of Syrian families to northern Syria, and support specialized committees dealing with Syrian refugee issues, including holding regular meetings.
Al-Bahra thanked Türkiye for hosting Syrian refugees for many years and for its support of the Syrian people and UN resolutions aimed at achieving the aspirations of Syrians and ensuring sustainable security and peace in Syria, particularly UN Resolution 2254.
In response, Mr. Toros affirmed Turkey’s commitment to continue efforts to improve the legal and living conditions of Syrian refugees, emphasizing the need for Syrians to comply with temporary protection laws and to ensure their data, especially residence addresses, are updated. Both parties agreed on the importance of continuing dialogue and coordination to reach sustainable solutions that enhance bilateral relations and serve the mutual interests of both countries.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
