After my trip in January, I returned to Syria once again – this time as part of a delegation trip by the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
On the ground, we met with:
- representatives of UNHCR
- local civil society organisations
- the EU Head of Delegation for Syria and the ambassadors of the member states in Damascus
- the Syrian Minister of Justice
- the Syrian Minister for Social Affairs
- the Syrian Minister of Health
We also visited the Yarmouk district – one of the areas most devastated in the Syrian capital Damascus.
It was the first committee delegation of the European Parliament to Syria since the beginning of the civil war, and an important step toward re-establishing direct contact between the Parliament, the people in Syria, and the transitional regime. Roughly ten months after the fall of the Assad regime, the country remains in the middle of a difficult and fragile transformation phase.
Deportations are unrealistic – and would be dangerous
While I was speaking with returnees in destroyed neighbourhoods, a debate about deportations to Syria was escalating in Germany.
– triggered by statements by Foreign Minister Wadephul, who, after his own visit to Syria, publicly stated that large parts of the country were destroyed and a quick return for many refugees was unrealistic.
The fact that even a government member shares this assessment – and is criticised from within his own party for it – reveals the core issue: there is a contradiction between the reality on the ground and the political will for deportations.
Interior Minister Dobrindt and others nevertheless cling to their deportation plans. CDU General Secretary Linnemann even called it a “pseudo-conflict”. But for the people directly affected, this conflict is anything but “pseudo”.
I asked myself a simple question: What if I, as a mother, said today: I’m moving to Syria with my children? The youth welfare office would likely remove my children immediately due to endangerment. For exactly this reason, we cannot expect Syrian families to return either.
And everyone I spoke with on the ground said the same thing: we must first help the people who are already in Syria – not force more people back there. If Europe now deports “at all costs”, we will further worsen the situation on the ground – and risk the country collapsing again. Therefore, my position in this debate is clear. Syria is still not safe. And anyone deported there today would end up with nothing.
What we need instead: go-and-see visits
Transitional justice and an end to violence
From my perspective, it is also essential that we closely monitor developments on the ground. The recent outbreaks of violence – for example against Alawites and Druze – must be thoroughly investigated and addressed. The country remains deeply divided. Many people carry severe trauma from the past years. Without addressing the crimes of the Assad regime (transitional justice) and without sustainable reconstruction, Syria will remain fragile.
Only then can long-term security emerge – and one day, a real, voluntary, and dignified return become possible.
You can read more about my impressions from Syria in the Frankfurter Rundschau, Fokus and RND.
