Published : 20-09-2019
The London-based Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) and Action Group for Palestinians of Syria (AGPS) called on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to step up pressure on Syria’s incumbent government in order to press ahead with the reconstruction of destroyed buildings in Yarmouk Camp and allow the displaced families to safely return to their homes.
In a statement delivered on Wednesday as part of Agenda Item 4 of the council’s 42nd regular session, kick-started in Geneva on September 9, AGPS’ Executive Director Ahmad Hosain, also PRC’s Media Chief, harked back to the days of heavy shelling and crippling siege Yarmouk Camp for Palestine refugees, south of Damascus, had come under for nearly five years.
Mr. Hosain said tensions had reached a zenith following a large-scale military operation launched by the Syrian government forces and their Russian partners in 2018 in an attempt to recapture every corner of the camp, leaving scores of families homeless.
Citing field surveys conducted to assess the damage to Syrian cities caused by years of relentless bombardment, Mr. Hosain indicated that 20% of Yarmouk’s homes and premises have been reduced to rubble, while another 40% sustained partial damage.
PRC and AGPS warned that up to the moment, hundreds of families have gone homeless while the Syrian authorities continue to turn blind eyes to their appeals to safely gain access into their homes and retrieve their belongings.
The groups expressed deep concern about the alarming humanitarian condition endured by hundreds of families who have been displaced from and denied access into their homes in Yamouk Camp under the legal guise.
The statement referred to the set of laws and decrees enacted by the Syrian government in the war’s aftermath to expropriate property and, therefore, expel inhabitants, saying such a policy hardened social inequalities and collectively punished a largely poor segment of the country’s population, particularly Palestine refugees.
The list of laws referred to by AGPS’ Executive Director included Decree Number 10 passed by the Syrian government in April 2018 to benefit from real estate development at the expense of civilians’ rights. In addition, in 2012, the government passed Decree Number 63, empowering the Finance Ministry to seize assets and property from those who fell under Law Number 19, a counterterrorism law passed that year.
The watchdogs said serious measures should be urgently taken in order to pressurize the Syrian government and all concerned parties to press ahead with the reconstruction of Yarmouk buildings, allow displaced families to safely get into their homes, and to rehabilitate civilians’ property rights in accordance with international laws and treaties.
The London-based Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) and Action Group for Palestinians of Syria (AGPS) called on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to step up pressure on Syria’s incumbent government in order to press ahead with the reconstruction of destroyed buildings in Yarmouk Camp and allow the displaced families to safely return to their homes.
In a statement delivered on Wednesday as part of Agenda Item 4 of the council’s 42nd regular session, kick-started in Geneva on September 9, AGPS’ Executive Director Ahmad Hosain, also PRC’s Media Chief, harked back to the days of heavy shelling and crippling siege Yarmouk Camp for Palestine refugees, south of Damascus, had come under for nearly five years.
Mr. Hosain said tensions had reached a zenith following a large-scale military operation launched by the Syrian government forces and their Russian partners in 2018 in an attempt to recapture every corner of the camp, leaving scores of families homeless.
Citing field surveys conducted to assess the damage to Syrian cities caused by years of relentless bombardment, Mr. Hosain indicated that 20% of Yarmouk’s homes and premises have been reduced to rubble, while another 40% sustained partial damage.
PRC and AGPS warned that up to the moment, hundreds of families have gone homeless while the Syrian authorities continue to turn blind eyes to their appeals to safely gain access into their homes and retrieve their belongings.
The groups expressed deep concern about the alarming humanitarian condition endured by hundreds of families who have been displaced from and denied access into their homes in Yamouk Camp under the legal guise.
The statement referred to the set of laws and decrees enacted by the Syrian government in the war’s aftermath to expropriate property and, therefore, expel inhabitants, saying such a policy hardened social inequalities and collectively punished a largely poor segment of the country’s population, particularly Palestine refugees.
The list of laws referred to by AGPS’ Executive Director included Decree Number 10 passed by the Syrian government in April 2018 to benefit from real estate development at the expense of civilians’ rights. In addition, in 2012, the government passed Decree Number 63, empowering the Finance Ministry to seize assets and property from those who fell under Law Number 19, a counterterrorism law passed that year.
The watchdogs said serious measures should be urgently taken in order to pressurize the Syrian government and all concerned parties to press ahead with the reconstruction of Yarmouk buildings, allow displaced families to safely get into their homes, and to rehabilitate civilians’ property rights in accordance with international laws and treaties.
