Amnesty International has called on the governments not to approve the agreement on the four "safe zones", promoted by Russia and signed by Turkey and Iran on 4 May, to send back the Syrian refugees who are on their territory.

Amnesty International has called on the governments not to approve the agreement on the four "safe zones", promoted by Russia and signed by Turkey and Iran on 4 May, to send back the Syrian refugees who are on their territory.

"The conflict in Syria continues to rage and every day people are arbitrarily arrested, tortured and burned. According to international law, refugees must be protected from forced repatriation because they risk serious violations of human rights. Therefore, the states that host Syrian refugees have an obligation not to repatriate them, because their freedom and their lives are still at risk", said Lynn Maalouf, director of research at the regional office of Amnesty International in Beirut.

"The so-called 'security zones' should not be used by the governments of the Netherlands to close their borders and deny those fleeing the conflict and persecution in Syria the right to seek asylum." Maalouf concluded.

Source: https://www.amnesty.it/siria-laccordo-sulle-zone-sicure-non-autorizzi-governi-rimandare-indietro-rifugiati/ 09.05.2017