The U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, said that Syria is currently not safe for the return of Syrian refugees.
Greenfield expressed her concern about the violations practiced by the Assad regime against the returnees to their country, such as torture, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance.
Greenfield praised the countries’ efforts in hosting the Syrian refugees such as Turkey and Jordan as they still provide protection and security for over six million refugees on their territories.
Greenfield’s remarks followed a briefing at the Security Council by High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
Greenfield called on the international community to help the United Nations to continue supporting the Syrians and countries hosting them, pointing out that the conditions inside Syria are not suitable for refugees to return.
Greenfield affirmed that the humanitarian needs in Syria are higher today than ever before. The United Nations and its partners can’t meet these needs without the continuation of cross-border operations.
Greenfield made it clear in her statements that the humanitarian situation in Syria poses a serious danger to civilians more than ever before, and the United Nations can’t provide aid without the continuation of cross-border.
It is noteworthy that “Human Rights Watch” organization had warned in a report the Syrians who wish to return to Assad regime-controlled areas, stressing that the majority of the returnees are subjected to arrest, absence and prosecutions.
