Ronida Haji

Al-Hasakah _ Seven years on, the situation of the displaced people from Sere Kaniye / Ras al-Ain remains unchanged. Despite the fall of the Baath regime and the formation of an interim government,and despite the signing of the January 29 agreement that was supposed to ease the pressures resulting from displacement, the suffering of these displaced people continues in Syria to this day.

As part of current efforts,and with work underway to build mechanisms for democratic integration, serious steps are being taken to secure a safe and stable return for them.

"Safe and guaranteed return is the essence of the discussion" 

In the context of discussing the steps taken for the return of the displaced, a member of the Sere Kaniye Displaced Committee, Zahra Samo, explained that the committee has been working for a long time to ensure a safe return. "Within the committee, we visited many parties and discussed the issue of safe return, its implementation mechanisms, and the guarantees that ensure the protection of the displaced after their return. Steps are indeed being taken, and continuous meetings are being held to prepare suitable conditions for return. The road leading to Sere Kaniye has also been opened. However, we emphasize in every discussion that the priority is for the return to be completely safe and guaranteed."

"75,000 displaced people from Sere Kaniye await safe return"

She explained that the conditions of the displaced have become extremely difficult, and that "everyone is aware of the scale of suffering experienced by the displaced in the camps due to the absence of international organizations and heavy rains, which has made life there nearly impossible, and the situation is deteriorating day by day."

She added: "There are about 75,000 displaced people from Sere Kaniye currently residing in camps and temporary centers. Therefore, the committee is making great efforts to ensure a safe and dignified return for them, while providing guarantees that protect them and allow them to return to their homes and properties."

Zahra Samo emphasized the importance of returning properties to their original owners. "The second point relates to ending the seizure of homes and properties of the original inhabitants of Sere Kaniye by various groups. These people must be removed so that the displaced can return safely. Many of the displaced people's homes and properties are still in the hands of individuals who do not belong to the region, and it is necessary to return these properties to their rightful owners."

Zahra Samo called on humanitarian organizations to play their role in the reconstruction phase, explaining that "the Turkish occupation of Sere Kaniye has led to significant changes in the demographic structure of the region and caused the destruction of a large number of homes and villages, especially historical villages such as Tell Halaf and Ain Hisan, which contain important archaeological sites." She affirmed that supporting the original inhabitants has become an essential necessity to ensure the reconstruction of the region anew.

At the conclusion of her speech, she stressed that ensuring a safe return for the displaced requires international monitoring and guarantees, to protect them from any violations upon their return to their homes.