Syria War Live Updates: Fears of New Islamic State After Bashar Al-Assad Toppled
NewsweekDec 08
UN Warns Against Rushing the Return of Syrian Refugees
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Above: Syrian refugees who live in Turkey wait with their belongings in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, Turkey, on Dec. 9, 2024. Image copyright: Ozan Kose/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The 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.
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.
The Spin
Left narrative
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
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.
