Returnees from Syria face torture and arbitrary arrests

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Syrian refugees are returning to their homeland from Turkey

Photo: Cem Genco / Anadolu / Getty Images

More than six million people have left Syria since the civil war began in 2011.

In Lebanon and Jordan, they are under increasing pressure to return to their homeland.

But there they obviously have to expect serious human rights violations.

According to a report by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), Syrian refugees are at risk of torture, arbitrary arrest and extrajudicial killings when they return home.

The report published on Wednesday with the title “Our life is like death: Syrian refugee returnees from Lebanon and Jordan” documents “severe abuse” of 65 returnees and their family members by Syrian government troops between 2017 and 2021.

Kidnappings and sexual violence

Of the 65 people, 21 were arrested and arbitrarily detained, according to HRW.

13 reported having been tortured.

Five people were killed out of court.

The investigation also documents violent disappearances in 17 cases, three kidnappings and one case of alleged sexual violence.

"The harrowing reports of torture, enforced disappearances and mistreatment" are intended to make it clear that "Syria is not safe for a return," says HRW expert on refugee and migrant rights, Nadia Hardman.

In particular, people who have fled to the neighboring countries of Jordan and Lebanon are under increasing pressure to return to Syria.

HRW accused Lebanon of pursuing an "aggressive return agenda" with measures such as demolishing shelters, curfews and evictions.

Many Syrians could feel compelled to return to their homeland as a result.

Syrian government continues to violate human rights

The UN Refugee Agency estimates that more than 6.6 million Syrians have found refuge abroad, especially in neighboring countries.

"No country should force refugees to return to Syria as long as the Syrian government is committing extensive human rights violations," demanded Hardman.

A decade after the outbreak of civil war, returnees are "still at risk of persecution by the same government from which they fled."

The civil war in Syria began in 2011 with peaceful protests against ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Around 500,000 people have been killed since then.

Assad had been able to extend his control over the country again.

muk / AFP