On International Migrants Day, designated by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, the Syrian Future Movement acknowledges the reality of migration as one of the most prominent humanitarian, political, and social issues that have characterized the contemporary Syrian experience and profoundly impacted the structure of both society and the state. Years of conflict and institutional collapse have forced millions of Syrians into displacement, both within and outside the country. Migration has transformed from a limited, individual choice into a comprehensive national phenomenon with humanitarian, human rights, and developmental dimensions, imposing clear responsibilities on the future Syrian state towards its citizens wherever they may be.
While affirming its full commitment to international human rights principles, the Syrian Future Movement considers the issue of Syrian migrants and refugees a strategic national issue requiring a comprehensive approach based on:
- Preserving the dignity of Syrian migrants and guaranteeing their legal and social rights in host countries.
- Strengthening their national connection to the new Syria, recognizing them as a human, intellectual, and economic asset for reconstruction.
- Creating the conditions for a safe, voluntary, and dignified return within a comprehensive national framework for rebuilding the state and its institutions.
- Integrating migration and return policies into sustainable development plans, moving beyond security-focused or short-sighted approaches.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the transitional phase necessitates redefining the relationship between the Syrian state and its citizens abroad, based on equal citizenship, mutual responsibility, and partnership in shaping the future. This will transform migration from an open wound into a potent national force. We also stress that commemorating this day presents an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a Syria that does not drive its people to emigrate, but rather opens before them horizons of security, justice, and dignified work—a Syria that welcomes back its people not through force, but through trust; not through slogans, but through institutions.
