The fall of Bashar Assad’s regime has also put the question of whether and when Syrian refugees can return to their home country on the agenda. Millions of Syrians have fled it since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. In Europe, right-wing populist parties have adopted a hostile stance towards refugees. Commentators discuss their chances of returning home.
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A unique opportunity
Salzburger Nachrichten sees an opportunity for Syrian refugees to return home – provided they receive sufficient support:
“This success must be built upon: almost six million Syrian refugees are living in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, mostly in appalling conditions. Another two million live in Europe. In Syria itself, almost four million people are classified as internally displaced persons. If billions are made available to the country for reconstruction as part of a major international effort, they could return to their villages and towns in the near future. This opportunity must not be wasted, because it is unlikely that there will be another one.”
Decent living conditions required
It would be a mistake to believe that large numbers of Syrian refugees will now return to their country, Večernji list stresses:
“A mass return will only be possible if the fall of Assad’s regime also marks the end of the civil war in Syria. And that is far from certain at present. … The refugees’ return will also depend on the nature of the future government, because the Syrians will certainly not return to a country where their rights and freedoms are restricted. What’s more, Syria is now a destroyed country lacking the necessary infrastructure for a normal life. Without significant investment in reconstruction, it will be impossible for many Syrians to return, no matter how much they might want to.”
Taking the wind out of the populists’ sails
A new chapter could also begin for the European Union, the Stuttgarter Zeitung writes:
“For Europe, this is a new opportunity to make itself heard in the Middle East. … While the US, as announced by President-elect Donald Trump, wants to further reduce its involvement in Syria, the EU can support the new government in Damascus with money for reconstruction and organise a regulated return of refugees. This could slow down or even stop the rise of right-wing populists. In this case, the Syrian revolution would also change Europe.”
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