Welcome Back to Syria
Refugees face prospect of returning to Syria
The Syrian Civil War left the country violently scarred, leaving 6 million people displaced. Now, a decade later, and with al-Assad regaining 70% of the country, the regime states it is time for citizens to return. If the countries hosting refugees comply, many fear the worst. Only 6% have voluntarily gone back. Dateline investigates if going back to Syria could, in fact, be a deadly mistake.
Maryam, who fled Syria as a child, is now living and working in Denmark: "we had no idea. I could not believe they would send us back after we had stayed for so long." The sisters would join over 1000 Syrians who had their visas reassessed thanks to a "seismic shift in Danish immigration policy." In 2015, a new law was passed stating refugees from designated ‘conflict zones’ could have their visas revoked if the threat level decreased, even by the slightest margins. Maryam and her sister Aya fear returning to Syria because their father is still wanted by the regime. "If they don’t kill us, they will rape us," says Aya. While the Syrian regime promises safety and security, many feel this is untrue. Speaking to a human rights network which has been inside Syria, Dateline investigates the realities of life after returning. Mohamad, an aid worker, states "most people get detained, even if they are not wanted by the Syrian government. They are subjected to rape and harassment in detention." With new policies discussing extraditing asylum seekers back into Syria, many are concerned for what the future holds.
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