The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity issued a detailed briefing describing he reality in Syria and that despite the dire conditions Syrians are suffering in displacement, 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 because the conditions which caused the displacements are still in place, and the Syrian regime continues to repress Syrians in the areas it controls. 

SACD research and reports of various other Syrian and international organizations – including SNHR, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch – have systematically documented that the vast majority of protection thresholds are far from being met, painting a dire picture for any refugees or IDPs forced to return before the minimum conditions are in place. In particular, the thresholds “the physical, legal and material safety of refugees and returnees is ensured” and “every individual’s decision to return is informed and genuinely voluntary, without any coercion” are far from being met. SACD has repeatedly called on UNHCR to report publicly on this reality, both to the displaced Syrians so they can make informed decisions about return, but also to international policymakers and donors. To no avail. 

As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visited Syria between 10 and 15 September 2022, prominent local and international rights groups reminded the UNHCR that Syria is still not safe for return, and urged the UNHCR and other UN agencies to halt programs that could incentivize premature and unsafe returns. This visit took place against the background of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation inside Syria and neighboring countries. Humanitarian needs are at an all-time high. 6.8 million Syrians, approximately 20 percent of the global refugee population, remain displaced outside Syria, while another 6.9 million people are internally displaced within Syria. The conditions for their safe and voluntary return stay out of reach. 

Not only are none of the UNHCR’s 22 “Protection Thresholds” – a baseline to assess conditions for the return to Syria – met within any parts of Syria, but those who have voluntarily returned have faced a range of risks. In addition to reports by local organizations and networks, reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Commission of Inquiry for Syria have confirmed that refugees who have returned to Syria have been subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, kidnappings, torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings. 

In light of Mr. Filippo Grandi’s visit to Damascus in September 2022, Programs Director Rudaina Al-Khazam of the Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity voiced several concerns regarding UNHCR’s work on the return of displaced Syrians, which contributes to their dire situation, ongoing displacement and premature return. “We’re seeing how UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is engaged in so-called “pilot projects” on return promoting certain areas as safe for return, which is nothing but a distortion of the unsafe reality in Syria,” said Al-Khazam. 

The Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) expressed 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 return issue, we called on Lebanon’s government to include Syrian refugees’ interests and rights in their plans and ensure that Lebanon remains committed to international law on the protection of refugees.  

Last but not least, the Syrian Association for Citizens’ Dignity (SACD) warned against the escalations by the Syrian regime forces in Daraa, who was mobilizing around the city of Jasem to launch an attack on it after detaining its young men and blackmailing their families to pay hefty ransoms. Today Daraa stands as a living example of the dubious and empty promises of the Syrian regime, and the utter failure of Russia as a guarantor of peace, any peace in Syria.