The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilitates safe return of Syrian refugees in cooperation with Moscow and Damascus, UNHCR's regional coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Mohamed Amin Awad Abubakir told TASS in an interview.
"UNHCR is continuing its engagement with the Government of Syria, the Russian Federation and all other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is aware of, and applies, international standards to return planning," Abubakir said.
"Even though UNHCR is not organizing the return of refugees at this point, UNHCR is working with all parties to remove obstacles to return, including through discussing a legal framework with the Government of Syria, addressing gaps in civil documentation and legal status, while expanding operations and humanitarian programs in places of return. UNHCR advocates for the application of international standards to ensure that returns are safe and dignified, and that no one is forced to return prematurely," he added.
