Syrian refugees who return to their country often face serious violations of their rights there, mainly victims of torture and sexual violence, according to a UN report published today, which highlights the particularly vulnerable position of women.

The report, compiled by the UN human rights office, presents “a particularly grim picture of the situation facing returnees once they return to Syria”.

The report’s authors have documented arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence and abductions committed by the Syrian government, de facto authorities or other armed groups across the war-torn country.

Returnees are also more vulnerable to widespread brutality in Syria, such as extortion to extort money or assets and confiscation of assets.

“This report presents a disturbing picture of the plight of these returnees, mainly women, in a context of increasing deportations” of Syrians who have taken refuge in third countries, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk reacted in a statement.

“The situation of these returnees raises serious questions about countries’ commitment to due process and non-refoulement,” a reference to the ban on sending migrants back to a country where they risk torture or cruel and inhumane treatment, he added. the Turk

The report specifically cites examples of Syrian migrants who had fled to Turkey and Lebanon and were forced to return to their country.

Any return of refugees to Syria should be “voluntary” and the conditions should be in place for it to be “safe, dignified and sustainable”, Turk reminded.

This is difficult in Syria, where the war has killed more than 500,000 people since 2011 and more than 90% of the population has been plunged into poverty, according to UN figures.

However, many Syrians who have left the country decide to return because of economic hardship, abuse and anti-immigrant rhetoric they face in some host countries, the report points out.

The UN report, based on dozens of interviews with returnees or former returnees, is particularly concerned that in some cases women were forced by their husbands or other male relatives to return to Syria to “test the soil”.

“This behavior can itself be considered a form of violence against women, as it exposes them to violations of their rights and abuse once they return to Syria, such as sexual violence,” he adds.