This
This program is live captioned by
Red
This program is live captioned by Red Bee Media. Say hello to the new
Syria.
Red Bee Media. Say hello to the new Syria. A sunny place to relax,
unwind
Syria. A sunny place to relax, unwind and leave the world behind.
Exploding
unwind and leave the world behind. Exploding with history, culture and
excitement.
Exploding with history, culture and excitement. Syria is always
beautiful.
excitement. Syria is always beautiful. At least that's the
official
beautiful. At least that's the official line from the Syrian
government
official line from the Syrian government in their tourism
campaigns.
government in their tourism campaigns. Yes, tourism campaigns. I
could
campaigns. Yes, tourism campaigns. I could not be more excited. In these
posts
could not be more excited. In these posts by a horde of travel vloggers,
holiday
posts by a horde of travel vloggers, holiday under regime supervision.
Under
holiday under regime supervision. Under President And accused war
criminal
Under President And accused war criminal Bashar al-Assad the message
is
criminal Bashar al-Assad the message is that the worst of the war is
over.
is that the worst of the war is over. The new Syria is open, not
just
over. The new Syria is open, not just to visitors and investors, but
to
just to visitors and investors, but to the millions of refugees, who
fled
to the millions of refugees, who fled the regime and the war. It
seems
fled the regime and the war. It seems almost too good to be true.
After
After 12
After 12 years of Civil War, a
growing
After 12 years of Civil War, a growing number of countries are
saying
growing number of countries are saying that it's safe for Syrian
refugees
saying that it's safe for Syrian refugees to go home. But with six
million
refugees to go home. But with six million people still displaced,
we've
million people still displaced, we've come to find out if going back
to
we've come to find out if going back to Syria could, in fact, be a deadly
mistake.
Denmark
Denmark may seem an odd place to
start
Denmark may seem an odd place to start a story about the war in
Syria.
start a story about the war in Syria. But the country has take
anyone
Syria. But the country has take anyone more than 34,000 Syrian
refugees
anyone more than 34,000 Syrian refugees since the war broke out in
2011.
The
The Awad
The Awad siblings fled Syria's
capital
The Awad siblings fled Syria's capital Damascus, with their parents
almost
capital Damascus, with their parents almost a decade ago. Granted
temporary
almost a decade ago. Granted temporary residency, the siblings
have
temporary residency, the siblings have thrived in Denmark. 22-year-old
Maryam
have thrived in Denmark. 22-year-old Maryam works in aged care.
19-year-old
Maryam works in aged care. 19-year-old Aya recently finished
high
19-year-old Aya recently finished high school and 17-year-old Mohamad
is
high school and 17-year-old Mohamad is still studying. Their memories of
Syria
is still studying. Their memories of Syria they recount in fluent Danish.
Sparked
Sparked by pro-democracy protests in
2011,
Sparked by pro-democracy protests in 2011, the Syrian Civil War has left
the
2011, the Syrian Civil War has left the country violently scarred.
Fighting
the country violently scarred. Fighting between the Russian-backed
forces
Fighting between the Russian-backed forces of President Assad and a
range
forces of President Assad and a range of rebel groups has killed
more
range of rebel groups has killed more than 350,000 people, inflicted
barbaric
more than 350,000 people, inflicted barbaric human rights abuses and
seen
barbaric human rights abuses and seen seven million Syrians flee the
country
seen seven million Syrians flee the country with six million displaced
at
country with six million displaced at home. Today, after regaining
control
at home. Today, after regaining control of roughly 70% of the
country,
control of roughly 70% of the country, the Assad regime says it's
time
country, the Assad regime says it's time for citizens to return. Talking
about
time for citizens to return. Talking about the future here. It's fully
open.
about the future here. It's fully open. Despite the claims, stories of
regime
open. Despite the claims, stories of regime intimidation and the abuse of
returnees
regime intimidation and the abuse of returnees are common. And only 6% of
Syrians
returnees are common. And only 6% of Syrians once labelled as traitors
for
Syrians once labelled as traitors for fleeing the war have voluntarily
gone
for fleeing the war have voluntarily gone back. What was the thing you
wanted
gone back. What was the thing you wanted to show me? Yes, I want to
show
wanted to show me? Yes, I want to show you here. After escaping The
Horrors
show you here. After escaping The Horrors of the Syrian war, the Awads
thought
Horrors of the Syrian war, the Awads thought they'd never return. But in
2019
thought they'd never return. But in 2019 Maryam and Aya received a
devastating
2019 Maryam and Aya received a devastating letter from the Danish
government.
What
What does
What does this mean for you and your
sister?
What does this mean for you and your sister? Claiming that some parts of
Syria
sister? Claiming that some parts of Syria are now safe, Denmark's
immigration
Syria are now safe, Denmark's immigration ministry cancelled the
sisters'
immigration ministry cancelled the sisters' visas and ordered them to
go
sisters' visas and ordered them to go back.
In
In a
In a cruel twist, their parents have
permanent
In a cruel twist, their parents have permanent asylum as political
refugees.
permanent asylum as political refugees. Mohamad is a minor, so he
can't
refugees. Mohamad is a minor, so he can't be deported, leaving the
sisters
can't be deported, leaving the sisters to go back to Syria, alone.
The
The sisters now joined the more than
1,000
The sisters now joined the more than 1,000 Syrians who've had their visas
re-assessed,
1,000 Syrians who've had their visas re-assessed, thanks to a seismic
shift
re-assessed, thanks to a seismic shift in Danish immigration policy.
Charlotte
shift in Danish immigration policy. Charlotte Slente from the Danish
Refugee
Charlotte Slente from the Danish Refugee Council explains. There was
a
Refugee Council explains. There was a law introduced in Denmark back in
2015
a law introduced in Denmark back in 2015 to grant temporary permits to
refugees
2015 to grant temporary permits to refugees to Denmark, not based on
their
refugees to Denmark, not based on their individual human rights
situation
their individual human rights situation or security situation, but
based
situation or security situation, but based on the generalised situation
of
based on the generalised situation of war andifyinging in Syria. -- and
fighting
of war andifyinging in Syria. -- and fighting in Syria. If conditions of
fighting
fighting in Syria. If conditions of fighting improve only a little bit,
we
fighting improve only a little bit, we might be looking at sending
people
we might be looking at sending people back. Based on the assessment
of
people back. Based on the assessment of Danish authorities, refugees from
designated
of Danish authorities, refugees from designated conflict zones were
granted
designated conflict zones were granted temporary sanctuary. But
their
granted temporary sanctuary. But their visas could be revoked if war
ended
their visas could be revoked if war ended in their areas. In 2019 with
Assad's
ended in their areas. In 2019 with Assad's forces retaking large areas
the
Assad's forces retaking large areas the country, Denmark classified
Damascus
the country, Denmark classified Damascus and outer regions as safe,
cancelling
Damascus and outer regions as safe, cancelling hundreds of protection
visas
cancelling hundreds of protection visas in the process. We do not
understand
visas in the process. We do not understand why Denmark wants to
stand
understand why Denmark wants to stand out as the only country in
Europe
stand out as the only country in Europe returning Syrians to Syria. I
mean,
Europe returning Syrians to Syria. I mean, these are people who have gone
through
mean, these are people who have gone through so much difficulty. They
have
through so much difficulty. They have found refuge in Denmark. They
are
have found refuge in Denmark. They are trying to build a life here.
Their
are trying to build a life here. Their children go to school here.
People
Their children go to school here. People have learned Danish. It's
very,
People have learned Danish. It's very, very difficult to understand
these
very, very difficult to understand these decisions by the Danish
Government.
Facing
Facing deportation, Maryam and Aya
have
Facing deportation, Maryam and Aya have applied for a hearing with the
Danish
have applied for a hearing with the Danish refugee appeals board. With
the
Danish refugee appeals board. With the help a lawyer, they will argue
they
the help a lawyer, they will argue they cannot safely return to Syria
because
they cannot safely return to Syria because their father is wanted by
the
because their father is wanted by the regime. What would happen to
you,
the regime. What would happen to you, do you think, if you were sent
back
you, do you think, if you were sent back to Syria?
Maryam
Maryam and Aya believe they have a
strong
Maryam and Aya believe they have a strong case, but it's now been two
years
strong case, but it's now been two years since they lodged their
appeal.
years since they lodged their appeal. They still don't have a
hearing
appeal. They still don't have a hearing date. The Awad sisters face
an
hearing date. The Awad sisters face an anxious wait, but other refugees
are
an anxious wait, but other refugees are in a more frightening limbo.
Refugees
Refugees who lose they're peels are
brought
Refugees who lose they're peels are brought here to await deportation.
Last
Last year, Hadiya and her children
lost
Last year, Hadiya and her children lost their temporary protection
status,
lost their temporary protection status, after living in Denmark for
close
status, after living in Denmark for close to a decade. Hadiya refused to
leave
close to a decade. Hadiya refused to leave and now, she cannot be
forcibly
leave and now, she cannot be forcibly deported because of the
Geneva
forcibly deported because of the Geneva Convention. Denmark and other
Western
Geneva Convention. Denmark and other Western governments don't recognise
the
Western governments don't recognise the government of Bashar al-Assad,
which
the government of Bashar al-Assad, which means that you can actually
not
which means that you can actually not make an agreement with that
regime
not make an agreement with that regime about sending Syrians back.
Until
regime about sending Syrians back. Until that happens, then they can't
send
Until that happens, then they can't send anybody back, they send them to
the
send anybody back, they send them to the centres. That sounds like they
could
the centres. That sounds like they could be there forever? They could
be
could be there forever? They could be there for a very, very long time.
I
be there for a very, very long time. I would assess.
Indefinite detention seems at odds
with
Indefinite detention seems at odds with Denmark's socially progressive
reputation.
with Denmark's socially progressive reputation. But the country is
changing.
reputation. But the country is changing. Hoping to steal votes from
rising
changing. Hoping to steal votes from rising populist parties, Denmark's
left-wing
rising populist parties, Denmark's left-wing government has introduced
a
left-wing government has introduced a series of hard line immigration
reforms,
a series of hard line immigration reforms, reminiscent of Australia's
stop
reforms, reminiscent of Australia's stop the boat scheme. It's our goal
that
stop the boat scheme. It's our goal that they should go back home.
Aiming
that they should go back home. Aiming for zero asylum seekers
refugees
Aiming for zero asylum seekers refugees can be sent to Rwanda for
processing,
refugees can be sent to Rwanda for processing, have assets confiscated
to
processing, have assets confiscated to pay for detention and those
without
to pay for detention and those without visas who can lawfully be
deported
without visas who can lawfully be deported are being removed by force.
What
deported are being removed by force. What happens to Hadiya next is
entirely
What happens to Hadiya next is entirely up to Danish authorities.
But
entirely up to Danish authorities. But this mother is adamant there's
one
But this mother is adamant there's one place she will never go.
Is
Is returning to Syria actually a
death
Is returning to Syria actually a death sentence?
Turkiye
Turkiye has born the brunt of the
Syrian
Turkiye has born the brunt of the Syrian refugee crisis, it's taken in
about
Syrian refugee crisis, it's taken in about 3.6 million refugees, four
times
about 3.6 million refugees, four times the numbers taken into the
entire
times the numbers taken into the entire European Union. In cities
close
entire European Union. In cities close to the border, like Gaziantep
many
close to the border, like Gaziantep many Syrians have heard the regime's
promise
many Syrians have heard the regime's promise of peace. We're here to see
what
promise of peace. We're here to see what happens to those who return to
Syria.
what happens to those who return to Syria. Good morning, how are you?
Good,
Syria. Good morning, how are you? Good, you? Yeah good. Thank you.
Mohamad
Good, you? Yeah good. Thank you. Mohamad Taha is a founder of NGO
Justice
Mohamad Taha is a founder of NGO Justice for Life.
As
As part
As part of his work, Mohamad has
been
As part of his work, Mohamad has been inside Syria, interviewing
returnees
been inside Syria, interviewing returnees and their families. Today,
he's
returnees and their families. Today, he's agreed to share his findings
and
he's agreed to share his findings and take us to the Syrian border. If
we
and take us to the Syrian border. If we can get there.
We
We stopped at a police checkpoint.
Recent
We stopped at a police checkpoint. Recent violence and mortar strikes
near
Recent violence and mortar strikes near the border have authorities on
high
near the border have authorities on high alert.
With
With Syria in walking distance, this
is
With Syria in walking distance, this is as far as we can go.
Just
Just ten
Just ten kilometres from here,
Turkish
Just ten kilometres from here, Turkish forces have been fighting
various
Turkish forces have been fighting various militias and in November
last
various militias and in November last year, Kurdish rebels were
bombed
last year, Kurdish rebels were bombed in regime-held Aleppo.
Clashes
bombed in regime-held Aleppo. Clashes between Assad's forces and
opposition
Clashes between Assad's forces and opposition groups continue in the
province
opposition groups continue in the province of Idlib. And last month,
Damascus
province of Idlib. And last month, Damascus was hit by Israeli air
strikes.
Damascus was hit by Israeli air strikes. Despite continued fighting,
it
strikes. Despite continued fighting, it seems the greatest threat facing
returnees
it seems the greatest threat facing returnees is not war. What are you
finding
returnees is not war. What are you finding about people who are going
back,
finding about people who are going back, returnees going back to Syria,
over
back, returnees going back to Syria, over the past few years?
Away
Away from
Away from the border, we secured an
interview
Away from the border, we secured an interview with a young man who
recently
interview with a young man who recently went back to Syria and says
he
recently went back to Syria and says he was detained by the regime. His
story
he was detained by the regime. His story is frightening.
Ibrahim
Ibrahim and his family fled Syria to
Jordan
Ibrahim and his family fled Syria to Jordan when he was just a boy. They
returned
Jordan when he was just a boy. They returned to their village when they
thought
returned to their village when they thought it was safe. But when
Ibrahim
thought it was safe. But when Ibrahim visited Damascus in 2019 to
apply
Ibrahim visited Damascus in 2019 to apply for a passport, he says he
fell
apply for a passport, he says he fell victim to the regime.
Ibrahim
Ibrahim says he was released without
charge
Ibrahim says he was released without charge after a relative bribed
prison
charge after a relative bribed prison officials. He was immediately
taken
prison officials. He was immediately taken into the Army and served six
months
taken into the Army and served six months before fleeing and later
paying
months before fleeing and later paying people smugglers to get him
to
paying people smugglers to get him to Turkiye. What do you think would
happen
to Turkiye. What do you think would happen to you, if you went back to
Syria
happen to you, if you went back to Syria now?
Shockingly, Ibrahim and others like
him
Shockingly, Ibrahim and others like him could soon face that situation.
There
him could soon face that situation. There are rumours the al-Sadr regime
is
There are rumours the al-Sadr regime is negotiating the -- Assad regime
is
is negotiating the -- Assad regime is negotiatingiating the forceable
return
is negotiatingiating the forceable return of Syrians from Turkiye. I
ask
return of Syrians from Turkiye. I ask Ibrahim why they thinks the
regime
ask Ibrahim why they thinks the regime wants them back?
Some
Some governments in Europe are
saying
Some governments in Europe are saying that Syria's safe to go back
to.
saying that Syria's safe to go back to. What would you say about that?
We
We put
We put these allegations to the
Syrian
We put these allegations to the Syrian Government but they did not
respond.
Syrian Government but they did not respond. According to human rights
groups
respond. According to human rights groups over 95,000 people have been
forcibly
groups over 95,000 people have been forcibly disappeared by the regime
since
forcibly disappeared by the regime since the war began.
A
A world
A world away Maryam and Aya's fight
against
A world away Maryam and Aya's fight against deportation is at a critical
point.
The
The sisters' case is finally being
heard
The sisters' case is finally being heard by the Danish refugee appeals
board.
heard by the Danish refugee appeals board. They hope by presenting
evidence
board. They hope by presenting evidence similar to Mohamad and
Ibrahim's,
evidence similar to Mohamad and Ibrahim's, the board will rule that
deporting
Ibrahim's, the board will rule that deporting them to Syria is inhumane.
After
After a
After a 2-year wait the sisters are
finally
After a 2-year wait the sisters are finally called before the board.
With
finally called before the board. With their future in the hands of
Danish
With their future in the hands of Danish authorities, I want to know
how
Danish authorities, I want to know how they ended up
here in the first
place.
Denmark
Denmark has revoked the temporary
protection
Denmark has revoked the temporary protection visas of hundreds of
Syrian
protection visas of hundreds of Syrian refugees, threatening to
protection visas of hundreds of deport them back into danger. We are
present
deport them back into danger. We are present in almost 40 countries
around
present in almost 40 countries around the world, where we have
operations.
around the world, where we have operations. Founded in 1956 the
Danish
operations. Founded in 1956 the Danish Refugee Council is Denmark's
largest
Danish Refugee Council is Denmark's largest non-profit organisation and
one
largest non-profit organisation and one of the world's leading refugee
protection
one of the world's leading refugee protection groups. Our humanitarian
assistance
protection groups. Our humanitarian assistance is very much related to
supporting
assistance is very much related to supporting both internally displaced
in
supporting both internally displaced in countries, but also refugees that
are
in countries, but also refugees that are hosted by neighbouring countries
to
are hosted by neighbouring countries to conflict. When Danish authorities
classified
to conflict. When Danish authorities classified parts of Syria as safe,
their
classified parts of Syria as safe, their decision was partly based on
the
their decision was partly based on the findings of a 2019 report
co-authored
the findings of a 2019 report co-authored by the DRC. The report
on
co-authored by the DRC. The report on Syria was a report on the
security
on Syria was a report on the security situation in Syria back
then
security situation in Syria back then in 2019, when it was
elaborated.
then in 2019, when it was elaborated. What was the finding of
your
elaborated. What was the finding of your report? The report itself
doesn't
your report? The report itself doesn't provide any conclusions. It
only
doesn't provide any conclusions. It only talked about the security
situation
only talked about the security situation and saying that yes,
security
situation and saying that yes, security conditions have improved in
Damascus
security conditions have improved in Damascus and with Damascus so the
broader
Damascus and with Damascus so the broader area of Syria. But the
Danish
broader area of Syria. But the Danish government decided to
interpret
Danish government decided to interpret the fact that there's no
Danish government decided to fighting as being equal to it being
safe
fighting as being equal to it being safe to sending back Syrians to
Syria.
safe to sending back Syrians to Syria. Is that the problem with the
report
Syria. Is that the problem with the report that it's allowed it to be
used
report that it's allowed it to be used in this way? No the major
problem
used in this way? No the major problem here is the law that was
passed
problem here is the law that was passed in 2015, where you even say
that
passed in 2015, where you even say that slight improvements in the
situation
that slight improvements in the situation of fighting in a given
country
situation of fighting in a given country could pave the way for
actually
country could pave the way for actually starting to look at
returns.
actually starting to look at returns. That was known before your
report
returns. That was known before your report was actually written. So by
then
report was actually written. So by then coming to the
conclusion that there is peace in some parts of the
country,
there is peace in some parts of the country, were you knowingly getting
yourself
country, were you knowingly getting yourself in that situation where the
report
yourself in that situation where the report would be used as a basis? I
don't
report would be used as a basis? I don't think you can say that. This
report
don't think you can say that. This report doesn't say anything about
whether
report doesn't say anything about whether it's safe for Syrians to
return.
whether it's safe for Syrians to return. You knew that the government
was
return. You knew that the government was looking for send to people back.
Was
was looking for send to people back. Was it the right thing to be
involved.
Was it the right thing to be involved. Is it not better to have
not
involved. Is it not better to have not been involved in a report that
is
not been involved in a report that is now being cherry picked? There is
aulz
is now being cherry picked? There is aulz a risk that you can use a
report
aulz a risk that you can use a report in an erroneous way, which
was
report in an erroneous way, which was done here. Does it make you
perhaps
was done here. Does it make you perhaps rethink whether you should
be
perhaps rethink whether you should be doing these reports in future?
Actually
be doing these reports in future? Actually we consider every time we
are
Actually we consider every time we are invited in to operate in one of
these
are invited in to operate in one of these -- participate in one of these
reports
these -- participate in one of these reports whether we want to or not.
Then
reports whether we want to or not. Then we have serious conversations
with
Then we have serious conversations with authorities here on these
topics
with authorities here on these topics and continue to do so.
Historically,
topics and continue to do so. Historically, the third largest
contributor
Historically, the third largest contributor to the DRC's budget has
been
contributor to the DRC's budget has been the Danish government. The DRC
vehemently
been the Danish government. The DRC vehemently maintains that this does
not
vehemently maintains that this does not influence their work or their
reports.
not influence their work or their reports. After a 2-year wait, the
refugee
reports. After a 2-year wait, the refugee board has finally reached a
verdict
refugee board has finally reached a verdict in the Awad sisters case.
Maryam
Maryam and Aya have been granted a
continued
Maryam and Aya have been granted a continued resident visa, overturning
their
continued resident visa, overturning their deportation and paving the way
to
their deportation and paving the way to full citizenship.
But
But the
But the moment is bitter sweet. A
third
But the moment is bitter sweet. A third of appeals that reach the
court
third of appeals that reach the court fail, leaving families to
choose
court fail, leaving families to choose between a detention centre or
going
choose between a detention centre or going back to Syria.