The Syrian High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said that it will soon reveal a plan that would address the situation of refugees in Turkey, while condemning the international community and United Nations’ silence on Russian violations in northern Syria.
During a press conference in Riyadh, head of the HNC Nasr al-Hariri revealed that the Committee is working with Turkish authorities to reach a solution for the refugee issue and it will be revealed in the coming days.
He noted that the refugees did not willingly leave their country, but were forced out by oppression and torture.
Hariri asserted that each country has the right to execute its laws, adding that the HNC informed Turkish officials of their willingness to cooperate and reach a mechanism that preserves the rights of the refugees and takes into account Turkish laws.
He suggested granting refugees dedicated cards for either a temporary or tourist stay, rejecting any measures that do not respect the rights and dignity of the refugees.
The number of refugees has exceeded 4 millions in Turkey, according to Hariri, who acknowledged that some countries view them as a burden. However, he added that the displaced have made social and economic contributions in countries of asylum.
Hariri stated that animosity and rhetoric against refugees is rising in Turkey and elsewhere, which some have exploited for political gain.
Turning to Russia’s offensive in the northwestern Idlib province, he said its attempts to launch a political solution to the crisis and its war against terrorism are only a cover for its crimes against the Syrian people.
He pointed out that Russia carried out over a thousand raids on a popular market in Maarat al-Numan in Idlib.
Hariri attributed the Russian offensive to the military crisis Moscow is facing in Syria’s northern region. He noted that the campaign is approaching its third month without achieving any results, however, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) has taught the Russians and the regime “harsh lessons.”
He hoped that the Arab League “would remember an Arab country called Syria and protect its people against the assault by Russia, Iran and their allies.”
Moreover, he stated that an international probe proved that the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons in Ghouta in 2017, revealing that the HNC will set up workshops to unveil the truth to the whole world and expose the regime’s lies.
On the political level, Hariri admitted he is “ashamed” to discuss the constitutional committee or any other political affair in light of recent developments on the ground and the massive military escalation.
The United Nations may finalize the formation of the constitutional committee in the coming days, but it is impossible to hold a meeting and proceed any further given the escalation in Idlib, he noted, adding that reaching a full ceasefire in Syria that respects the de-escalation agreement signed in September was a priority.
