Tell the EU: Syria is not safe for refugees to return

October 16, 2024: Russian airstrikes hit a furniture workshop in Idlib, killing 11 civilians and injuring 32. Photo by Ali Haj Suleiman

In the past week, international media from Politico to The Financial Times have exposed that the European Union is working behind closed doors to appoint a special envoy for Syria for the first time since 2011.

It’s a dangerous step towards normalising with Assad’s criminal regime and comes after Italy and seven other EU states have proposed to establish so-called 'safe zones' in Syria to return refugees. This is despite European courts, human rights groups and the UN clearly stating that no part of Syria is safe for refugees to return to.

The European Union may hope this will go largely unnoticed as the world’s attention shifts away from Syria, but if we raise the alarm together now, before the European Commission officially announces an envoy, we could prevent it from happening.

This decision is a betrayal of the hundreds of thousands of victims and survivors of Assad’s brutality who are seeking justice. It’s a signal to tyrants everywhere that they can break every rule of international law and not face any consequences. If Syrian refugees are forced to return to Syria, they face serious threats to their safety and security, including arbitrary arrest, torture, and forced conscription into Assad’s army.

Let’s show the European Union that until there’s real peace in Syria - one that is based on justice and political legitimacy - we will not stand by while they shake hands with a mass murderer.

Please feel free to add your own words. Your letter will be sent to the following EU decision makers:
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission;
Joseph Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
Kaja Kallas, the Designated High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
and the leaders of France, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

Recent signatures

Phillip, United Kingdom

8 hours ago
Raimond, Netherlands

3 days, 19 hours ago
Marlene, Austria

4 days, 1 hour ago
Lucia, Germany

5 days, 3 hours ago
Katie, United States

5 days, 11 hours ago
Nica, Malta

5 days, 17 hours ago
Angela, Australia

6 days, 14 hours ago
Thomas, Germany

6 days, 22 hours ago
Moyna, United Kingdom

1 week ago
Melanie, United States

1 week ago

Tell the EU: Syria is not safe for refugees to return

Click below to send this letter to the European Commission and European leaders telling them not to appoint a special envoy for Syria and to not normalize relations with Assad. You can edit the message to make it more personal.

As a supporter of The Syria Campaign, I am writing to demand that you publicly reverse the EU’s decision—as reported by international media, including The Financial Times and Politico—to appoint a special envoy for Syria.

This decision is a dangerous step towards normalizing and reopening relations with the brutal Assad regime that continues to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity. It also puts Syrian refugees at serious risks, because if they are forced to return to Syria, they are likely to face serious threats to their safety and security, including arbitrary arrest, torture, and forced conscription into Assad’s army.

The European Union must listen to the voices of Syrian refugees: Syria is not safe and refugees should not be forced to return to danger.

European courts, human rights groups and the UN clearly state that no part of Syria is safe for refugees to return to and normalizing and reopening relations with Assad would mean legitimizing him in the eyes of the international community. Assad is a war criminal and the only legitimate course of action is for him to face trial in national and international courts for the crimes against humanity he has committed.

The systematic human rights violations carried out by the Assad regime are the reasons why European law must continue to provide protection and safety to Syrian refugees.

I am calling on you put a stop to the appointment of a special envoy for Syria and to strongly reaffirm your commitment to the safety of refugees and the protection of human rights, as clearly stated in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Thank you for your attention to these critical issues.

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Recent signatures

Phillip, United Kingdom

8 hours ago
Raimond, Netherlands

3 days, 19 hours ago
Marlene, Austria

4 days, 1 hour ago
Lucia, Germany

5 days, 3 hours ago
Katie, United States

5 days, 11 hours ago
Nica, Malta

5 days, 17 hours ago
Angela, Australia

6 days, 14 hours ago
Thomas, Germany

6 days, 22 hours ago
Moyna, United Kingdom

1 week ago
Melanie, United States

1 week ago

Recent signatures

Tell the EU: Syria is not safe for refugees to return

Recent signatures

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