NGOs condemn Syrians’ deportation attempts by France
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday severalinternational organizations and associations condemned deportation attempts of Syrians that France sought by “confinement in a detention center” and “consular discussions,” calling for a “clarification” from the French government.
The organizations Amnesty International, La Cimade and Revivre said in a joint press release the “scandalous and illegal” procedures date back to October 2022 when two prefectures (Haute-Garonne and the Paris police headquarters) began “demarches” with the Syrian embassy in France.
The joint press release said, “Our organizations are asking the government to clarify its position by reminding the prefectures of France’s international obligations, which absolutely prohibit the return of a person to a country where they risk death, torture and other ill-treatment.”
It added that though the judge of freedom and detention (JLD) set the two Syrians concerned free, placing them in administrative detention centers (Cra) is a violation “in full knowledge of the facts (of) international and European rules.”
However, the refusal of the Syrian embassy to issue a consular pass due to lack of documents made it possible to prevent the “expulsion requested by the French authorities.”
“France must proclaim loud and clear its attachment to the Geneva Convention: France must not detain or attempt to deport any person to a country in which they risk being exposed to torture, inhuman treatment or degrading, and where his life or his freedom would be threatened,” the statement read.