Morjan journeyed to Turkey, where he settled down with his family and found work. Despite building a life there, thoughts of Syria always lingered in his mind. When rebels seized control of Aleppo and aimed to overthrow Assad, Morjan felt compelled to return to his homeland now that it was “liberated.” The overwhelming joy of finally arriving home after 13 years of exile moved him and his mother to tears as they kneeled and prayed at the front door. Amid the happiness of reuniting with loved ones, Morjan couldn’t shake the fear of former government forces and intelligence officers still present in the city. However, he cherished the time spent with family, enjoying laughter and a home-cooked meal before departing early the next day. Now, he is preparing to move back to Aleppo permanently with his wife and two young daughters, born in Turkey, despite the challenges of making a living in a country where most live below the poverty line. Embracing hope for a better future, Morjan believes the sacrifices made for the revolution will pave the way for a new Syria.
Hussam Kassas, a human rights activist, faced a harrowing journey out of Syria due to injuries sustained from a barrel bomb blast. After reaching safety in the UK with his wife, the suspension of Syrian asylum applications across Europe has cast doubt on their future. The fall of the Assad regime has led to uncertainty, with the emergence of new risks and terrorist groups complicating the situation. As authorities reevaluate the conditions in Syria post-Assad, Kassas and many others fear the dangers that await if they were to return.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of asylum-seekers is paramount, provided that their return to Syria remains voluntary and that they are afforded protection wherever they choose to reside,” said William Spindler, a spokesperson for UNHCR, in an interview with CNN.
Kassas, a former paramedic and human rights defender in Daraya, a suburb of Damascus, voiced concerns about potential retribution if he were to return to Syria. Throughout the civil war, he meticulously documented war crimes committed by all parties involved in the conflict and shared this crucial information with international organizations. However, this noble endeavor has placed him in a precarious position, as he fears for the safety of his family back in Syria.
“I cannot risk my family falling victim to acts of revenge,” Kassas shared. “Just because the Syrian president has left the country, it does not mean that his loyalists have suddenly transformed into peaceful beings.”
Kassas welcomed his second child, born in England, shortly before his aspirations for a Syria free from the Assad regime seemed within reach. Regrettably, his family’s situation has since deteriorated. With his work and housing permits on the verge of expiry, Kassas faces the looming threat of losing his job and residence in Manchester if the permits are not renewed, compounded by the uncertainty surrounding his asylum application.
“I willingly embraced the challenges of advocating for human rights and activism, prepared to make personal sacrifices for the greater good,” Kassas expressed. “But I refuse to let my loved ones bear the burden of the choices I have made.”
