The Syrian Women’s Political Movement Statement on Syrian Refugees Stranded on the Syrian-Lebanese Border

The disturbing news on the continuous stranglehold on Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, especially in Lebanon, hundreds of Syrians find themselves forced to return to the Syrian territories following the sharp escalation in official Lebanese racist and discriminatory rhetorics against refugees and demands of their deportation from Lebanese territory.

Preventing the passage of Syrian refugees stranded on the Syrian-Lebanese borders Jdaidit Yabws, border checkpoint, towards the Syrian territories, let alone opening fire on them, reveals the falsehood of the Assad regime claims and its repeated promises and calls for Syrians abroad to return voluntarily to their country. Passage denial for Syrians by the Assad regime’s border guards is a violation of the law according to Article 38 of the Syrian Constitution, Article 13 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 12 (4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement condemns and denounces this crime against civilians, stranded at the borders who, despite the brutality and oppression of the Syrian regime against all segments of the Syrian people, especially the returnees, decided to return according to the Law on the Protection of Returnees and the agreements between the two countries.

SWPM calls on international organizations and human rights organizations to push all efforts to facilitate the passage of those stranded.

SWPM holds the Lebanese state, the Syrian regime and all international bodies responsible for the safety and security of hundreds of stranded with their families detained under inhuman conditions, especially in light of the spread of the Corona pandemic, which increases their suffering and secures their basic needs till the end of their crisis.

We affirm the right of Syrians to search for a safe life away from bombing and arrests in the absence of a safe and neutral environment in Syria, stated in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the International Refugee Charter, with the shared responsibility to protect the refugees and provide them with a safe and voluntary environment for them.

May martyrs rest in peace, detainees and disappeared persons be free, and our great people emerge victoriously.

The General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement

 Friday, September 4th,2020