28.01.2025 21:11
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, stated that nearly 2,000 people cross from Turkey to Syria every day, and he mentioned, "The Interior Minister informed me that 80,000 people have returned in the last 6-7 weeks. 80,000 is not a number to be underestimated."
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi made an official visit to Turkey following his visits to Lebanon and Syria.
"I RECEIVED A COMMITMENT FROM SHARA"
Answering questions from the press at a hotel in Ankara, Grandi responded to the question, "What do you think about Syria in terms of women's rights and minorities?" by saying: "I received a commitment from the current leader of the administration, Ahmed Hussein al-Shara. All communities will be welcomed. Syria is a country with great ethnic and religious diversity. The governor of Aleppo approached me with the same positivity. I also met with representatives of the mentioned communities. Of course, there is a fear, but the leaders of the communities say, 'This country needs you. Don't leave, stay.' The leadership in the administration is also conveying the same message. There are tensions at the lowest levels and stages, but what is important is that the authorities condemn this. I mentioned that the security forces are limited. My main concern is this. If we want order and stability to be established, security needs to be supported. Then we can prevent violence against any group."
"THE INTERIOR MINISTER INFORMED ME THAT 80,000 PEOPLE HAVE RETURNED IN 6-7 WEEKS"
In response to a journalist's question, "What kind of plan should be made for the return of Syrians, and how will the UN contribute to this?", Grandi said: "There are two sides to every return. The return itself and the subsequent integration of people into society. Each country needs this for returns. You mentioned, 'No statement has been made.' I don't know how much they are making a statement about this, but the Director of the Migration Administration has a very good plan. It's so good that a book could even be written about it. It is fully compliant with the rules, and there is voluntariness. We are independently verifying that everything is going smoothly. On the one hand, there are also controls. Other countries are also moving forward to prepare a plan. Jordan is there, Lebanon has lagged a bit in this process. They are also working on these plans. These countries should talk to each other and share their implementations. Especially, they have a lot to learn from Turkey. The Migration Administration has a very advanced plan. The Interior Minister informed me that 80,000 people have returned in 6-7 weeks. 80,000 is not a small number."
"SYRIA IS NOT READY FOR A MASS INFLUX"
Grandi pointed out that returns from Turkey to Syria will increase during the summer holiday period, stating: "80,000 is the number of people who returned after December 8. Therefore, a new authority and leaders have come to power in Syria. The Interior Minister told me this half an hour ago. I am sure the numbers are like this. 1,500 to 2,000 people are returning every day through 5 border gates. We need to follow some moments, like during the Ramadan holiday. The holiday period could initiate a return process. The school period will also be an important moment. Returns can be made as the weather warms up. I don't think there will be a massive influx. I don't think people will leave in droves. This is actually better because Syria is not ready for a rapid influx. It would be better for it to happen gradually. We are grateful that Turkey is not putting pressure. The situation there is also expected to improve."
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