For 13 years, Syria has been living in dangerous humanitarian conditions that make the return of Syrian refugees risky. The Syrian regime’s policies have led to the use of all available means, including internationally banned weapons, against the Syrian people, which has led to unbearable human suffering.
Arbitrary arrests and torture continue in detention centers, making Syria an unsafe and unlivable environment. The Syrian people are still suffering from a stifling humanitarian crisis, as they lack the most basic necessities for a decent life.
Syrians returning to Syria face a grave threat to their lives and security. The countries hosting Syrian refugees, which have opened their doors to receive the displaced people coming to them, are among the most prominent concerned with preserving the dignity and human safety of these refugees, who have faced arrest, torture, and indiscriminate bombing in their country.
Iraq is currently witnessing a deportation campaign targeting foreigners who violate its residency requirements, including Syrians. During the recent security raids, many Syrians were arrested in Baghdad for violating residency requirements, according to statements by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. However, some of these people hold an “asylum seeker” card from the United Nations, and yet they were stopped, which raises serious concerns about their fate and safety.
Any country has the right to enforce its laws and policies and deport violators from its territory following applicable laws and regulations. However, we must realize that the special situation of Syrians requires special treatment for the difficult humanitarian conditions in their country. The return of Syrian refugees to Syria carries great risks due to the unstable security situation and ongoing human rights violations there, which makes their deportation unsafe and unacceptable under international human rights standards.
We point out that this return clearly contravenes the basic principles of international law, and contradicts the Foreigners and International Protection Law, as Article 55 of it excludes from expulsion outside the country any person who may be feared of being subjected to death, torture, inhuman treatment, punishment or treatment injurious to dignity in the country to which he will be deported.
The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity expresses its deep concern about the ongoing security campaign in Iraq and calls on the Iraqi government to adhere to international and humanitarian laws in the treatment of Syrian refugees.
At the same time, we point out the decision of the Supreme Judicial Council in Iraq issued last August, which prohibits the deportation of any Syrian refugee from Iraq, within the framework of the Iraqi government’s efforts to protect the rights of Syrian refugees present on its territory, improve their living conditions, and recognize the laws it issued. Centers affiliated with the United Nations in Iraq.
We also call on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and all concerned parties to play their real role in protecting the rights of the Syrians affected by this detention and to work to provide them with protection, prevent their forced return to Syria, and hand them over to the Syrian regime.
We renew our continued position and affirm that Syria is still not safe for the return of refugees. We urge the international community to intensify efforts to stop these grave violations and work to find a comprehensive political solution that achieves the demands of the Syrian people. The safe environment, as its conditions were set by the Syrians themselves, is the cornerstone of it, so it allows the displaced to return to their homes in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.
