Displaced activists from Serekaniye: Safe return conditions not met

Amid the ongoing suffering of displaced people from the city of Serekaniye, occupied by Turkey since October 2019, demands for a safe and dignified return have been renewed. The displaced stress that such a return must be free from any political or military calculations, noting the absence of the humanitarian and security conditions necessary for return, despite the March 10 agreement’s provisions related to the return of displaced persons not being implemented to this day.

Lack of Security Undermines Return

Activist and displaced person from Serekaniye, Youssef Bro, said: "Our hope to return is the hope of every displaced person to go back to their city. But the return we mean is a safe and dignified return that protects human life and dignity. Unfortunately, these conditions are currently not available in Serekaniye."

He added: "Although the March 10 agreement was signed, the clause related to displaced people has not been implemented," considering the issue a humanitarian matter and a right for every person to return to their home.

Bro noted that the number of original residents remaining in Serekaniye is very small.

He said: "There is a demographic change inside the city, along with harassment and persecution of original residents, in addition to difficulties preventing them from reclaiming their private property."

He emphasized that the city is under the control of factions rather than a single government or factions integrated into Damascus authorities’ institutions, stating: "There is no security, and there is chaos, so no one can return to their city."

Bro concluded by calling for a safe return guaranteed according to the March 10 agreement, not tied to any political or military deal.

Displaced Await Safe Return Amid Ongoing Suffering

Activist and displaced person Dalour Muhammad Ali said: "All displaced people look to the March 10 agreement and await a safe return to their cities amid the suffering they face in their current locations."

He added: "We hope the Autonomous Administration, during its negotiations with the Transitional Authority, will discuss Article 5 of the March 10 agreement, concerning the safe return of displaced persons."

Dalour emphasized that no one can return to the occupied cities due to ongoing violations, seizure and sale of original residents’ property, lack of security, and arbitrary arrests on flimsy pretexts, calling for the implementation of the March 10 agreement to ensure a safe return for displaced people.

Similarly, activist and displaced person Muhammad Hajo said: "With the fall of the Baathist regime, displaced people had high hopes for a safe return to their cities, but that did not happen. The March 10 agreement renewed hopes for a safe return for displaced persons, yet its provisions have not been implemented so far."

He added: "We have no trust in the current Transitional Authority due to its delay in implementing the agreement, especially the clause on displaced persons. We will not accept a return under the terms proposed by the authority; we want a safe return without any mercenary, faction, or outsider in our cities."

Hajo concluded: "Violations continue in the occupied cities, and if this continues, no one will be able to return to their city. Therefore, the Transitional Authority must stop these violations and secure a safe return for the displaced."

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ANHA