The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held a two-day workshop at the Cham Hotel in Damascus to discuss practical ways ensuring the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of Syrian refugees, as well as their sustainable reintegration into their communities. Representatives from several Syrian ministries and government institutions participated in the meeting.
Facilitating Refugee Returns
The workshop addressed several key topics, including current return trends and the results of regional surveys on refugees’ intentions. Participants reviewed programs implemented by UNHCR and its partners supporting returnees, along with the immediate and long-term needs they face. Government initiatives aimed at creating a conducive environment for return and overcoming potential challenges were also discussed.
Attorney General Judge Hassan al-Turba affirmed that the Ministry of Justice provides services facilitating returning refugees from the moment they arrive in Syria. He explained the ministry enables the regularization of legal statuses either in person or through legal representatives, highlighting ongoing efforts in judicial development and digital transformation, which will eventually allow procedures to be monitored from outside the country.
Voluntary and Informed Return
UNHCR Legal Advisor Ibrahim Daraji stated the workshop seeks to translate the concept of voluntary return into practical programs. He emphasized that “the sustainability of return requires providing a suitable environment,” stressing the importance of ensuring the decision to return is informed and preserves the dignity and security of refugees. Daraji also highlighted the need for clearly defined mechanisms outlining the responsibilities of all international and local actors involved, ensuring the process remains safe and transparent.
Rahada Abdoush, a member of the Central Council of the Bar Association, noted that the workshop reinforces the principle of partnership among all parties. She explained that one of its aims is to provide refugees with accurate information about the realities of services in Syria, particularly in education, health, and security, while raising awareness of their legal rights and obligations to support a more stable and transparent return.
These efforts come as part of broader initiatives to support voluntary return. UNHCR announced last September that one million Syrian refugees have returned since December 2024, calling for increased international support to alleviate the suffering caused by displacement and to aid the reconstruction process.
