EU refuses to attend Damascus conference

The European Union refused to attend the conference to be held by Damascus regarding the return of refugees, and called for creating appropriate conditions for the return of these refugees and displaced persons to their areas of origin.

10 November, 2020 10:01

NEWS DESK

The High Representative of the European Union released a statement noting that it refuses to attend the conference prepared by Damascus. The statement added, "A number of European Union foreign ministers and the High Representative received an invitation to attend a conference on the issue of the return of refugees, on November 11 and 12, in Damascus."

According to the statement, the European Union believes that the priority at present is to take real measures to create the conditions for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their areas of origin, in line with international law and Protection thresholds and Parameters for Refugee Return to Syria, as issued by the United Nations in February 2018, as UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, should have full and unhindered access to all parts of Syria, and as such, the conference is premature.

The statement added: "While the decision to return should always be an individual decision, conditions inside Syria at the present time are not suitable to encourage voluntary return on a large scale."

"The limited returns indicate that there are still obstacles and threats facing the return of internally displaced persons and refugees, especially forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, physical and sexual violence, discrimination in access to housing, land and property, as well as weak or non-existent basic services."

The European Union reiterated that UN Security Council Resolution 2254 defines the framework for a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Syrian conflict, and addresses the underlying causes of the conflict, the refugee crisis and internal displacement.

The statement concluded: "We reiterate our urgent call to the regime and its sponsors to participate fully and in good faith in the work of the Constitutional Committee, as well as in all other issues mentioned in Security Council Resolution 2254, especially the release of detainees."

J.O