Ali Ahmed: The return of Syrian refugees requires the international community’s support for early recovery programs in Syria
Geneva – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva Haider Ali Ahmed has affirmed that the return of Syrian refugees and the displaced persons is a main goal of Syria, as the Syrian state has issued a number of amnesty decrees, laws, and administrative procedures that aimed at overcoming any obstacles that limit this return. He indicated that creating conducive conditions to chieve this goal requires strengthening the support provided by the international community for humanitarian and early recovery programmes in Syria.
In a statement during the 74th session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, Ambassador Ali Ahmad said that Syria has made great efforts over the past years to restore security and stability to all parts of the country, extend the authority of the state and the law, and it has adopted the policy of reconciliations and settlement process to ensure the return of refugees and displaced persons and issued amnesty decrees, laws and administrative procedures that aimed at overcoming any obstacles facing this return.
He explained that creating suitable conditions that lead to the permanent return of the Syrian refugees requires strengthening the support provided by the international community for humanitarian and early recovery programs, which is essential to address the material, economic and social obstacles that prevent the return. He pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates will continue the current cooperation and coordination with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to address the basic concerns of refugees effectively, and within the framework of full respect for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs.
The Syrian diplomat stressed that, according to the relevant Syrian laws and regulations, returnees are not subject to discrimination because of their departure from their previous places of residence, or because of their request for asylum abroad, or because of their stay or residence in an area that was previously or currently under the control of any non-state group, pointing out that issues related to recruitment and military service are carried out in a non-discriminatory manner, with returnees benefiting from relevant amnesty decrees, as military service is a constitutional duty for all Syrian citizens without any discrimination.
He also clarified that the returning Syrian refugees, like other Syrians, enjoy all the rights and duties guaranteed by the constitution, laws and regulations to all citizens without any discrimination, and their lives, freedom and human dignity are protected against any discriminatory treatment or violations of basic rights guaranteed by the Syrian constitution and laws.
Hamda Mustafa