Desolation, not refuge

DW: What is the entry situation for Syrian refugees to Jordan: who is allowed to cross the border, who isn't and why?

Ruth Jüttner: Officially, Jordan's border is open to everyone. In reality, things are quite different. Palestinian refugees from Syria are affected most of all. They have been denied entry since the beginning of 2012, and the same is true for Iraqi refugees who fled to Syria even before the war in Iraq. Refugees without papers also aren't allowed into the country. In addition, the border is closed to all refugees at certain times.

How does the Jordan justify those decisions?

Different reasons are given. When it comes to the Palestinian refugees, Amnesty was told Jordan didn't want to compromise their right to return to Israel - a cynical argument we've unfortunately heard in other crises, too. [ed.: Some observers view the argument of a right to return as a pretext to avoid having to accept more Palestinian refugees]. Concerning the Iraqi refugees, Jordanian authorities say they already took in 100,000 people, who should now be able to return to Iraq. That is problematic from our point of view, as several hundred people are killed every month in Iraq in bomb attacks and fighting. In general, the Jordanian government points out that the refugee camps are overcrowded - that is an argument we can follow. Jordan only wants to accept new refugees when camp capacities have been increased. So the situation of the refugees in Jordan is really bleak.

How are the Syrian refugees who are already in Jordan?

Currently, about 550,000 refugees live in Jordan. Their situation is extremely difficult. About two-thirds live outside of the refugee camps and are fighting for survival. They have to fend for themselves concerning housing, food and medical care. Fifty percent are children under the age of 18 and very few of them go to school. Many are seriously traumatized and don't see any perspectives for their future. In addition, many children have to work to contribute to their family's survival.

What is the situation for women in the refugee camps?

According to Jordanian and international media reports, older men from Jordan and the Gulf States take advantage of the plight of the young Syrian girls by trying to convince them to get married. The girls are easily in danger of being sexually exploited. It is very difficult to check such reports. When we talk to Syrian refugee families we often get the impression that they refuse to marry their daughters to non-Syrians. We've also found out that Syrian women and girls are exposed to sexual harassment. Women looking for work have also received marriage proposals. That's also a way to exert pressure.

The situation of Syrian refugees is dismal elsewhere, too, for instance in Egypt. How does the population there treat them?

In Egypt, the situation for Syrian refugees has deteriorated sharply since the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi. The new interim government in July introduced a mandatory visa for Syrians, which is why few new Syrian refugees currently enter the country. The mood in the country has soured, hostile feelings against them is on the rise among Egyptians. Random arrests by security forces have also increased. When Syrians illegally try to leave Egypt and are picked up by the coast guard, they are arrested and sometimes held for several weeks. Syrians are presented with a choice: they can either go back to Syria or stay in prison. Such forced deportation is against international law, which grants the Syrian refugees the right to protection because in Syria life and limb are in danger.

What does Amnesty suggest to help solve the Syrian refugees' plight?

Syria's neighboring states bear the brunt of the refugee crisis: 2.2 million Syrian refugees have fled to states in the region. The international community must greatly increase humanitarian aid to enable the neighboring states to continue to offer the refugees protection. Only 47 percent of the UN Regional Plan has so far been financed. That means significant financial means are needed. We urge the European Union and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to create more opportunities to include Syrian refugees that are especially in need of protection in humanitarian admission programs. Such a humanitarian gesture would relieve Syria's neighbors.

Ruth Jüttner is an Amnesty International Mideast consultant.