SACD Newsletter

October 2022

The Myth of “Voluntary” Return from Lebanon: Despite Facing Horrendous Conditions, Syrians Reject Premature Return

The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) has issued a new report shining a spotlight on conditions for Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, and showing that despite dire conditions, Syrian refugees continue to overwhelmingly reject any plans for a forced return to Syria.

Recently, the Lebanese government announced its plan to send Syrian refugees back to their country, claiming to only send back those who sign up “voluntarily”. Yet this study shines a light that any return of Syrian refugees, in the current conditions, is everything but voluntary. 

SACD’s report interviews 438 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, asking them about their current situation, the impact of discriminatory policies and discourse, their future plans, and their thoughts about a return to Syria. This last question is particularly relevant given that multiple Lebanese politicians have recently put forward a policy of returning Syrian refugees.

9 years, criminals responsible for chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta have not been held accountable

Nine years after the chemical massacre in Eastern Ghouta, where more than a thousand civilians suffocated due to the poisonous sarin gas, bombed by the Syrian regime. Nine years and so far, the criminals responsible for this massacre have not been held accountable, and there are no mechanisms to prevent the Syrian regime from using lethal weapons. The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) recorded an exclusive interview with lawyer Ibrahim Olabi of Guernica 37, International Justice Chamber to further explain the international mechanisms that can be used to hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable. 

Bi-annual report on the violations of the first protection threshold defined by UNHCR CPSS Protection Thresholds: “Significant and durable reduction of hostilities.”

The current reality in Syria is such that despite the dire conditions Syrians are suffering in displacement, whether internally or in some of the host countries, they are still unwilling to return except for small numbers of those who are forced to do so for various reasons. This is primarily due to the fact that the conditions which caused the displacements are still in place and active and the regime continues to repress the areas it controls.

While UNHCR has defined the first protection threshold “Significant and durable reduction of hostilities” as a threshold indicating the safety for the return of refugees and displaced persons, it is important to note that hostilities are not only limited to military actions but also mean arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, field liquidations, and assassinations.

Read full report here

Syrian refugees in Lebanon between deportation and death under torture

The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) expresses extreme concern over Lebanon’s caretaker Minister of the Displaced Issam Sharafeddine’s announcement of a plan for a mass return of refugees to Syria at a rate of 15,000 refugees per month, made during his visit to Damascus.

While we are aware of the political quarrels and lack of clarity within the Lebanese government on the issue of return, we call on Lebanon’s government to include Syrian refugees’ interests and rights in their plans and ensure that Lebanon remains committed to international law on protection of refugees.

Syrian Refugee in Lebanon: “I would rather suffer here than go back to Assad’s hell”

“Despite the suffering we are experiencing in Lebanon and the high cost of living, I would rather stay than go back to Assad’s hell and his unjust regime,” says a Syrian refugee living in Beirut. 

The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity is constantly working to shed light on what the Syrians face in the various refugee hosting countries. The Association conducted an interview with A. K., who is originally from Daraa and was born and lived in Damascus in 1975. She is currently married and lives with her husband and family in Lebanon. 

Syrians have the right to know the reality in Syria before being asked to go back

A critical component of safe, dignified and voluntary return is access to reliable information about whether it is safe to return. This information helps the displaced understand whether their return conditions have been met, as well as the process involved. In particular, it might help highlight any inconsistencies between the process and their legal rights as refugees and IDPs to return home without fear of harassment or targeting.

A closer examination of one key mechanism used by the regime in dealing with refugees who are considering returning now shows that their sense of being informed about the conditions on the ground is utterly misguided. SACD surveys revealed a potentially dangerous lack of real information from those supposed to be informing them on all aspects of return conditions, including the UNHCR. 

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