German Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) sharply criticizes the debate in Germany on the return of Syrian refugees to Syria. “Who fantasizes about returns so soon after a coup, is either unaware or impertinent” she told the “Rheinische Post”.
“Syria is still a country that’s at the bottom. How can families think about returning when they can’t be sure if they’ll be persecuted, if there’s electricity, water, a school, a job, or if they can even return to their house or apartment?” Anyone who wants to make returns possible must first do everything to ensure that Syria is stable and secure. “And for the stability of the country, it would be fatal if too many people were forced to return too early and then had to be supported in the country.”
Schulze also said: “I also find many demands from the German side not differentiated enough.” She thinks of the around 6,000 Syrian doctors in Germany, about 3,700 elderly care workers, and 17,000 Syrians who drive buses or trucks here. “If all of them were to leave, we would have a problem here too. Whoever is well-integrated here should not only be able to stay here, but we should strongly advocate that these important skilled workers and their families continue to decide in favor of Germany.”
“One can also help with the rebuilding of Syria from Germany: Syrian doctors from Germany could spend a few weeks training their colleagues in Syria and bringing in their expertise for the development of the healthcare system.” We already do this with Ukraine and other countries. “Such partnerships could be imaginable for me with Syria” said Schulze.