SYRIAN REFUGEES IN EGYPT FACE DIFFICULT LIFE AFTER THE COUP
Cairo, 2 Shawwal 1434/9 August 2013 (MINA) – “If I had not have to bring bread to my family, I would have never left my house today,” al-Homasi, a Syrian refugee who fled the ongoing deadly conflict in his homeland and sought a safe haven in Egypt, told Anadolu Agency
Standing in queue before a local bakery in the Egypt’s 6th of October City, Samer al-Homasi, worried and anxious despite the celebratory mood around him, was waiting for his turn to get bread for his family, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Friday.
For al-Homasi, a usually easy errand like that has become a major source of concern – even if all people around him are celebrating a joyous Eid al-Fitr.
“If I had not have to bring bread to my family, I would have never left my house today,” al-Homasi, a Syrian refugee who fled the ongoing deadly conflict in his homeland and sought a safe haven in Egypt.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Egypt said it has registered, or is in the process of registering, around 90,000 Syrians in that country.
Under Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Syrians were allowed to enter the country without any visa requirements.
Shortly after Morsi’s ouster, however, the authorities began requiring Syrians to obtain paid visas and prior security clearance.
“Syrians enjoyed free movement before the recent incidents in Egypt,” al-Homasi said. “Now most Syrians are forced to lay low in accordance with the local saying ‘keep away from evil’.”
Last month, the rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Egyptian police had arrested over 81 Syrians, including children, in two days with many of them being threatened to be deported.
“Most Syrians do not have residence permits or have expired ones, and that one of the reasons of the arrests by the Egyptian authorities against Syrians, not to mention detention over political affiliation or other charges,” al-Homasi said.
A high-ranking Egyptian security official, who asked to be unnamed, confirmed to AA the recent arrests, saying they are “triggered by specific legal violations, like lack of residence permits, posing a threat to the Egyptian national security or involvement in illegal activities.”
The climate of growing hostility drove many Syrians to decide to spend their Eid at home, and those who were courageous enough were advised by their fellow countrymen to keep a low profile.
“This Eid is the worst in terms of movement and the psychological mood for Syrians, and even Egyptians,” Abdel-Sattar Attiyah said at a café in 6th of October City where many Syrians live.
Thousands of Syrians have taken refuge in neighboring countries after President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime cracked down on protests demanding an end to his rule in March 2011.
More than 100,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, according to activists.
“We have not heard about many of our family members for a long time, some are arrested, some are missing and some do not have means of communication,” he bitterly added. “Luckily, children do not have to suffer the problems and pains felt by the parents.” (T/P09/E1).
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
