The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed concern about the Danish government’s policy towards Syrian refugees.
The Refugee Appeals Board in Denmark said it was “safe” for Syrian refugees to return to Latakia Governorate in western Syria.
In response, a spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees described Denmark’s decision as “disturbing” and said UNHCR did not consider the improvement in the security situation in Syria “sufficient to justify the termination of international protection for any group”. refugees.”
According to Reuters, the Danish Refugee Appeals Board confirmed on Friday that the “improved security situation” in Latakia province “makes it safe for refugees to return”.
Human Rights Watch had previously criticized the Danish authorities’ decision to add Latakia and Tartus to the list of “safe” Syrian provinces for the return of refugees.
The organization urged Denmark to reverse its decision to remove protection for some Syrian refugees and “acknowledge that Syrian refugees are still at risk in their homeland, regardless of the region they come from”.