UN Warns Against Rushing the Return of Syrian Refugees

Facts

• UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Tuesday urged European nations against rushing to repatriate Syrian refugees after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, citing a collapsed economy and disastrous humanitarian conditions in Syria.^[1]
• According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of last year, an estimated 6.4M Syrian refugees had fled the country since the start of its civil war in 2011. While most of them live in neighboring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, European countries host more than 1M people.^[2][3]
• This comes as several European countries have put on hold all pending asylum applications from Syrians amid calls for the deportation of Syrian refugees, and as many Syrians abroad want to return to their homeland despite political uncertainty, food insecurity, and the lack of crucial infrastructure.^[2][4]
• Thousands have already begun returning to Syria, most departing from Turkey and Lebanon, prompting both countries to facilitate their journey. Meanwhile, an influx of thousands of people fleeing Syria are stuck awaiting entry into Lebanon.^[5][6][7]
• Pedersen also warned foreign actors not to intervene militarily in Syria — specifically calling on Israel to stop its bombing campaign on alleged chemical weapons installations and troop movements into Syrian territory beyond Golan Heights.^[1][8]

Sources: ^[1]Reuters, ^[2]POLITICO, ^[3]UNHCR, ^[4]BBC News, ^[5]Middle East Monitor, ^[6]Voice of America, ^[7]The New Arab and ^[8]CNN.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Washington Post. While many Syrians hope to return home after Assad’s fall, others have built stable lives in Europe and are reluctant to uproot again for an uncertain future in Syria. The anti-immigrant movement of far-right European parties has also gained momentum, but they cannot be allowed to force repatriation before safety is assured. Refugees deserve the choice to return voluntarily and with dignity, free from political pressure and risks to their well-being.
• Right narrative, as provided by GB News and The Telegraph. After years of conflict, many Syrian refugees are finally eager to return home, as are the Europeans affected by the past migration crisis. Celebrations among Syrians abroad highlight their hope for rebuilding their country, which is what they should be allowed and encouraged to do. The countries that have welcomed them for a decade must now halt future asylum claims, focus on facilitating refugee returns, and prioritize stability.