The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

For contradicting with Resolution No. 2254 | Kurdish National Council calls Turkey to stop “voluntary return” project

The Syrian Kurdish National Council issued a resolution regarding the Turkish project to return Syrian refugees.

The resolution stated: “In early May, Turkey officially announced launching the project (voluntary return) to return one million Syrian refugees in Turkey and house them in 13 residential compounds inside Syrian territory adjacent to its southern borders starting for A’zaz on the west to Ras Al-Ain (Sere Kanye) on the east.”

The announcement timing of the project coincides with the Turkish parliamentary elections campaign and quarrels between competing sides. However, the lack of safe environment for the return of Syrian refugees to their home indicates that this project falls under the framework of deportation of refugees and causing demographic change in these areas, as well as in other areas of Syria including Afrin.

The Kurdish National Council confirms the right for refugees and displaced Syrians to return to Syria wherever they are, in accordance to the international resolution No. 2254 that “points to the urgent need to create conditions needed for safe return for displaced Syrians internally to their original areas and rehabilitate damaged areas according to the international resolution.”

The council refuses demographic change projects in any Syrian region, and the council sees that this resolution contradicts the international resolution No. 2254, and neglects the rights of the Syrian refugees, in addition to creating conflicts between the Syrian people.

Accordingly, the Kurdish National Council calls Turkey to stop this project, and calls countries concerned with the Syrian issues to take a stand regarding this project and to activate the political process to find a definitive solution for the Syrian issue and guarantee a safe return for displaced Syrians and refugees to their original homes.