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Calls for Dubai not to force refugees back to Syria

May 11, 2015 at 12:55 pm

The Task Group for Palestinians Refugees in Syria has revealed that the UAE is planning to force refugees back to Syria under the pretext of illegally entering the country, Quds Press reported on Sunday.

The Task Group said that Palestinian refugee Wael Al-Sahli, 41, and his 8-year-old son Muntaser, had broadcast a message on social media calling for help.

In his message, Al-Sahli said that he and his son left Jordan on 30 April, heading to Libya through Dubai airport. He planned to travel to Europe via the Mediterranean.

However, in Sudan, he was prohibited from boarding any plane and was returned back to Dubai on two separate occasions. He said he has applied for asylum in several countries, but his applications have all been refused. After ten days in Dubai airport, the UAE decided to force him back to Syria.

Al-Sahli has called on all human rights organisations and NGOs prevent his forcible return to Syria, which he says would put both his and his young son’s life in danger.

The Task Group called upon the UAE to deal with Al-Sahli and his son as refugees, giving them the rights guaranteed in international law. It also called for airport authorities to facilitate his movement and not to return him back to war-torn Syria.