Charting the Path Home: Syrian Refugee Return from Jordan to Syria
Returning or not returning. Source: 123rf.com
by: Rasha Istaiteyeh, Hashemite University
This blog post explores the return migration of Syrian refugees from Jordan due to the 2011 Syrian conflict, which led to a significant refugee crisis. Millions of Syrians were forced to flee from their home due to conflict, violence, and instability in their country. Jordan hosted a significant number of Syrian refugees, providing safety, shelter, and humanitarian assistance.
However, as conditions in Syria evolved, the prospect of return migration became more important. It is thus critical to investigate the complex issues underlying the return of Syrian refugees to their home country and provide long term durable solutions.
The UNHCR surveyed Syrian refugees' perceptions and intentions on returning to Syria in 2021. The 2021 UNHCR survey results suggested that most refugees do not intend to return, while 58% consider it, if progress occurs. The vast majority (around 93%) of participants who had no intention to return, emphasized that they would especially not return within the next 12 months. When participants were asked if they would return one day, a third (30%) answered that they would not return. The main reasons that were cited include lack of safety and security, work opportunities and adequate housing, as well as inadequate essential services, and concerns regarding military services.
Furthermore, Syrian refugees would consider returning to Syria in case of several improvements, which are not deemed possible in the current time, such as improved safety and security, and access to basic services. However, some admitted that no circumstance would change their decision of not wanting to return to Syria. Figure 1 illustrates that some Syrian refugees consider returning in case of improvements in terms of safety and security, but others would not return under any circumstances.
The conditions for consideration in Figure 1 (2022) are essentially the inverse of the reasons for not returning in Figure 2. Furthermore, a clear correlation is established between the deterrents to returning, and the conditions that might facilitate it. For example, ‘improved safety and security’ is a top condition that would encourage return, while ‘lack of safety and security’ is a main deterrent.
Figure 1. Syrian refugees' responses to the circumstances changing their decision and return to Syria in 2022. Extracted from Syrian Refugees Perceptions & Intentions on return to Syria(UNHCR, 2022).
Figure 2. Syrian refugees’ responses to the circumstance changing their decision and return to Syria in 2023. Extracted from Syrian Refugees Perceptions & Intentions on return to Syria (UNHCR, 2023)
In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, there are three possible durable solutions in line with international standards and frameworks, namely voluntary repatriation, local integration and resettlement. However, the best possible durable solution for Jordan and neighboring countries (as well as refugees) regarding this crisis would be voluntary repatriation. Voluntary repatriation is when refugees return to their country because the circumstances in their country of origin improve or for personal reasons. “Voluntary repatriation promotes peace and stability in refugee nations and guarantees that refugees may reconstruct their lives securely and sustainably”.
Jordan has to adhere to international principles and legal frameworks, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forced return of refugees to a place where their lives or freedom could be at risk. In order to facilitate voluntary repatriation, there is a process of crucial phases to describe every aspect of the return journey; from the initial commitment to non-refoulement principles, to assessing conditions in Syria, and key checkpoints (See Figure 1).
Table 1: Voluntary return phases for Syrians in Jordan | Source: Author compilation.
Primarily, Jordan should assess the conditions in Syria to ensure that they meet the criteria for a safe and dignified return by making sure that there is access to essential services, security and protection from persecution. It should also provide refugees with accurate information about the current situation regarding security conditions, available services, and their rights upon return. Moreover, Jordan must work closely with the UNHCR and other international organizations.
The UNHCR has set specific safety conditions-physical, legal, and material safety. Physical safety means that refugees must not be faced with persecution when returned to their country of origin. Regarding legal safety, it involves ensuring that when refugees return to their country they will not face persecution or discrimination. Furthermore, it involves ensuring that the amnesty laws are adopted and implemented, as well as being able to obtain citizenship status and being able to access the documentation to recover property. Lastly, material safety means that refugees can access livelihood opportunities and basic services.
Advocating for funding enables the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and partners such as the Jordanian government and the UNHCR to establish assistance programs for the voluntary return and reintegration of Syrian refugees in their country of origin, while also monitoring the process. In addition, promoting awareness campaigns to inform the returnees of the information they need to be aware of. In addition, safe corridors and buffer zones must be established to protect returned refugees from potential harm.
Addressing the challenges of voluntary repatriation is crucial for facilitating a safe, dignified and sustainable return process. First and foremost, ensuring their safety and security of returning refugees is paramount. This requires continued efforts to stabilize Syria and address the underlying causes of the conflict. Additionally, measures should be implemented to protect returning refugees from discrimination, violence, and arbitrary detention.
Furthermore, their integration into society must be ensured. This involves the provision of assistance to help returning refugees reintegrate through livelihood support, access to education, healthcare and psychosocial support services. Improvement of the circumstances in their country would encourage voluntary return.
Moreover, risk assessments should be conducted before return to identify international protection needs. Guidance and support should be offered for the refugees who return, and their well-being after return should be monitored. The international community must establish monitoring mechanisms for the post return phase in order to ensure that there is no harm or risk on the refugees' freedom.
To ensure long-term peace, the repatriation process must be voluntary, driven by improved or improving conditions in Syria, and backed by international organizations and diplomatic initiatives. Syrian refugees' well-being and dignity must be at the center of these efforts, as their safe and voluntary return is the best long-term solution to this humanitarian crisis.
Contact:
Rasha Istaiteyeh, Hashemite University, Jordan | ristaiteyeh@hu.edu.jo