The overwhelming impression obtained from SACD’s latest report published in November, based on interviews with 45 employees of 29 organisations operating in Assad-held Syria, is that the relationship between the Syrian regime and humanitarian organisations and agencies goes beyond regime interference. There instead appears to be a somewhat symbiotic relationship in which the regime, through different bodies and figures, controls the decision-making process and defines the “red lines” for these organisations, and has considerable influence over determining the beneficiaries.  

Throughout the 10 years of conflict in Syria, there has been constant discussion and doubts regarding whether the international aid sent to regime areas was being delivered to the right beneficiaries. Some testimonies and evidence have suggested that some UN aid to Syrians in regime-controlled areas ended up with the regime’s military forces or allied militias.  

In the conversation with representatives of some of the key countries and institutions involved in Syria about the findings of the report, SACD has welcomed the establishment of a regional oversight mechanism established to eradicate corruption and misuse of aid in the UN and other humanitarian organisations operating in Syria and called for increased transparency of the process.  

In November, the Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) organized an event that focused on the one common finding among all recent reports by UN COI, HRW, Amnesty International, SNHR and SACD which explicitly state that Syria is not safe for any returns. This event discussed how to, despite all challenges, make concrete steps to prevent premature return from hosting states, to maintain protections for Syrian refugees in the face of reality in Syria and address the worrying trend of gradual normalization of the Syrian regime without measures to stop and achieve accountability for its criminal policies.    

The Syrian regime and its backers have for over a year now claimed that Syria is safe – and some European tour agencies have started taking bookings for tours next year, after the regime started issuing tourist visas in October. Various other developments, from readmission to Interpol to diplomatic visits and problematic statements of senior UN officials, speak of the creeping normalization of the regime. Return of displaced Syrians seems to be the next target in this dangerous process.  

Yet the world must never forget that Syria, despite Russian propaganda and groups touring the country amid people who may simply “disappear” if they or their relatives say something not pleasing to the regime, is not safe and is unlikely to be so any time soon.  

The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity expressed its concern over deportation procedures of Syrians who have sought refuge in Turkey after experiencing horrifying threat to life in their country. Sending Syrians back to Syria at this time amounts to refoulement, which is contrary to Turkish law and international conventions to which Turkey is a signatory, as it puts their lives at grave danger.   

In Denmark, Syrians continued to find themselves targeted by the policy are being forced into detention centers, their lives destroyed, families separated, placed under pressure to return.  

One such case is that of Abdel-Raouf Ahmed, who is currently residing in the refugee deportation center in Denmark, who agreed to talk to us about the conditions surrounding him and other Syrian refugees in the deportation centers.