Informed source denies ‘false allegations’ of forced return of 3 Syrian nationals

AMMAN — Jordan has not and shall not impose forced displacement, an informed source said.

The statement came in light of recent allegations that Jordan had forcefully returned three Syrians, Hasna Hariri, Ibrahim Hariri and Raafat Salkhadi, back to Syria. 

The Kingdom, which hosts more than 1 million and 300,000 Syrians, “will not be overcrowded by additional three individuals”, the source said. 

Jordan hosts Syrians as “dear guests, doing its utmost to secure them a dignified life”, the source said.

Nonetheless, hosted individuals must respect the laws of the country and not abuse Jordan's hospitality through unlawful acts, which harm the Kingdom’s interests, the source stressed, highlighting the rule of law. 

He emphasised that Jordan will not allow people to exploit their residence in the country to carry out activities and practices that oppose its national interests and its firm policies of non-intervention. 

In regard to information circulating on social media about Hasna Hariri, the source pointed out that she had entered Jordan as a refugee, like hundreds of thousands of Syrians, and was provided with the needed care. 

“Jordan did not force Hariri to return to Syria, despite being warned, time and again, about carrying out illegal activities, inflicting damage on Jordan,” the source said.

“Persisting with the said activities, she was required to cease the illegal acts or look for another destination” as necessitated by relevant authorities who granted her the necessary time to do so, the source added.

Hariri was not forced to return, the source noted, describing what was published as “false allegations”. 

The source added that the same treatment applied to Ibrahim Hariri and Raafat Salkhadi.

Jordan will maintain all possible assistance to Syrians until their voluntary return to their homeland, the source added, reiterating Jordan’s rejection of breaking the law or undertaking activities that do not serve its interests.