Violence, murder, political persecution: still a reality in Syria, report numerous human rights organizations. 6 million men, women and children have fled the civil war since 2011. If one can believe the descriptions of the regime and its closest ally Russia, the majority of the refugees could soon be living safely in their homeland again. Both invited to Damascus last week to discuss a quick return. But important countries stayed away from the event or were not even invited.

The conference in Damascus deliberately did not address the main causes of displacement such as the ongoing violence, killings and political persecution by the Assad regime. Instead, the Syrian President made it clear in his opening speech who is to blame for the prevented return: the West and its sanctions. Assad claimed, that the western states ignore the harsh living conditions of the refugees and “politicize their return” in the “most heinous way” in order to keep the refugees outside Syria and to use them as “a leverage against its government”. But data from the United Nations show that it is primarily western countries and the Gulf States that support refugees and are engaged in humanitarian activities in Syria via the UN.

The aid provided by Damascus’ allies, on the other hand, is remarkably low. Numerous human rights organizations and the UN are also warning against a return. So why did the Syrian government feigned openness to the refugees? It's about easing the sanctions regime and urgently needed billions for the reconstruction of the country. After all, neither the Assad regime nor its allies Russia and Iran are currently able to finance it. To rebuild, they need considerable international support.