The Syrian regime has been issuing administrative laws to reconstruct the destroyed areas. Still, the undeclared goal of these decisions is to prevent the return of refugees to their original homes. One of these laws is Law No. 10 of 2018, which states that one or more administrative areas may be created within the general organizational scheme of administrative units; another primary concern is the law’s timeframe, as once a local authority announces a redevelopment plan – which has not yet happened – people will have 30 days to provide proof of ownership. If they don’t, they will not be compensated, and the property will return to the town or the district or city in which the property is located. 

In addition to Law No. 10, the Syrian regime has issued more than 45 housing, land, and property laws since the crisis. Yet one of the main ways the Syrian regime uses demolitions, and thus prevents the return of civilians, is through Law No. 3 of 2018 regarding the removal of the ruins of damaged buildings because of natural or unnatural causes or because they are subject to the laws requiring their demolition.    

SACD’s research has shown that 40 per cent of returnees could not recover their original homes for reasons of partial or total destruction or because of the security measures that have impeded the return. Only 60 per cent of returnees could return to the place of residence they lived in before leaving. 24 per cent could return to the same neighborhood, but not the same house. 18 per cent could not return to their neighborhoods or towns; they returned to other areas. The Syrians have the right to give them a real and influential voice in the political discussions that will determine their fate because any mistake in defining or implementing a safe environment will likely cost their lives and dignity.