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Syria after Assad: Why Europe should not shut its doors to refugees

EU countries have been quick to pause asylum applications, but there is no guarantee that Syrians can safely return home
A protester in Berlin holds a Syrian flag on 20 September 2020 (Stefanie Loos/AFP)
A protester in Berlin holds a Syrian flag on 20 September 2020 (Stefanie Loos/AFP)

Less than 24 hours after the fall of the Assad regime, one key question reverberated in the media: when will Syrians return to their country?

For me and many other Syrian refugees who have built new lives across Europe and beyond, this question was not just theoretical. The downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sent shock waves around the globe. However, within hours, EU countries were already announcing plans to pause the processing of Syrian asylum applications. 

It was as if the very foundation of what we had built here in Europe was being called into question.

As this unfolded, my mind raced, and a counter-question emerged: how must Syrian refugees feel upon hearing these messages, especially during a time when our emotions are so raw - filled with joy and hope, yet also anxiety, fear and uncertainty about the future, both here and back home? 

For many of us, the memories of fleeing Syria and the emotions tied to that experience have resurfaced with force. It is as though we are being asked to choose between two uncertain futures: one in our adopted country and one in our homeland, which has been forever altered by war and suffering.

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The question of what kind of country Syrians will return to find weighs heavily on me. Many Syrian refugees around the world - from the EU to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan - grapple with this uncertainty as they watch events unfold in Syria. 

Whether Syria is truly safe for returnees is a question that is rarely addressed in the media -  and when it is, it is generally left unanswered. The situation on the ground continues to be chaotic and undefined. 

Mixed emotions

News of Syrians returning to their country stirs mixed emotions: a desire for reunification with family and homeland, tempered by fear and uncertainty about whether it is truly safe to go back.

In the absence of such clarity, Syrians face a dual uncertainty: their place in the countries that took them in and the conditions awaiting them if they returned home. This emotional turmoil is draining, forcing them to live in limbo, never quite certain of where they truly belong.

The hope and joy that characterised the initial days of celebration in Syrian communities has begun to fade. Many Syrians have lived in their new countries for years, some for more than a decade.

Shouldn't the voices of Syrians in Europe and other parts of the world be heard in discussions about what their future holds?

Many have also made it clear that they are not merely passive recipients of support; they genuinely want to be a part of their new societies. Across Europe, Syrians are invested in the communities they live in. They study, participate in social and political debates, and help to build the future. 

They are actively contributing to the development of a society that values diversity and inclusion. In light of this, shouldn't the voices of Syrians in Europe and other parts of the world be heard in discussions about what their future holds? Shouldn’t they be able to express their views, concerns and aspirations?

While the Syrian revolution might have reached a turning point, the situation on the ground remains unresolved. Rebuilding Syria will be an enormous challenge, and it will require addressing deep-rooted political, economic and social issues. 

Reviving the economy, reforming the education system, restoring political institutions and healing a war-torn society are monumental tasks that will take years - if not decades. Syrians need time and space to rebuild their lives with the knowledge that they can do so in a safe environment, whether in their adopted countries or back home in Syria.

Global conversation

No one wants to be a refugee in the first place, and even less so do they want to repeat that process. The prospect of returning to a country still in the throes of rebuilding, where safety and stability are not guaranteed, is a terrifying thought.

Processes for Syrian asylum applications and the status of refugees may need to be reassessed in the future, but today is not the right time for such a discussion. Right now, European countries and other host nations should be working with Syrians, listening to them, and discussing how they can help make Syria a safe and viable option for return. That future is not yet here.

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Until that time, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and other EU countries are more than just temporary refuges for Syrians; they have become homes - not just because they offer physical security but also because they provide opportunities for growth, education and social integration. 

For many Syrians, Europe is a place where they can dream again, plan for the future, raise families and contribute meaningfully to society. It is crucial that they continue to feel welcomed, valued and recognised for their contributions. The international community must view refugees not as burdens but as active participants in the societies where they live.

Let us continue to build societies that are inclusive, where everyone, regardless of their origin, feels heard, valued and at home. At the same time, let us work towards a future where Syrians can finally return to a safe and rebuilt Syria when the time is right - not out of fear, but with hope for a brighter future. 

Until then, Syrians in Europe deserve to have their voices heard and their contributions acknowledged as part of a global conversation about the future of their homeland and their place in the world.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.

Alaa Jbour is the communication manager at the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission - (SAPEA). He holds a Masters degree on political communications from the Vrije Universiteit-Brussel (VUB) and a BA from Damascus university
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