Syria: Information on the situation of pro-Arafat supporters
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SYR28566.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Syria: Information on the situation of pro-Arafat supporters, 1 January 1998, SYR28566.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ace238.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided during a 6 January 1998 telephone interview with an independent investigative journalist in London who has written two books and several articles on Syria and who has conducted several research trips in Syria. The investigative journalist travels to Syria regularly.
The investigative journalist stated that generally political activism against the régime is repressed in Syria.
Regarding the Palestinian issue, there has been tension between Chairman Arafat and President Assad since the Oslo Accords. There are approximately 10 anti-Arafat factions in Damascus and the journalist was unaware of any pro-Arafat factions in the city. A pro-Arafat Palestinian would not be welcome in Damascus. The journalist stated that Syrian security forces have in-depth knowledge of all Palestinian factions in Syria and Lebanon, and know who belongs to which faction.
The following information was provided during a 16 January 1998 telephone interview with a specialist on Syria and a sociologist with the Stitftung Wissenschaft Und Politik, a research institute on international relations in Ebenhausen, Germany. The sociologist travels to Syria regularly.
The sociologist stated that there are many pro-Arafat Palestinians living in Syria who were released from prison after the Gulf War and Chairman Arafat's visit to Damascus. The sociologist stated that the Syrians know very well who is pro- or anti-Arafat in Syria and Lebanon. A Palestinian can be known as pro-Arafat and still be living in Syria as long as he is not openly anti-Syrian. The Syrian régime would crack down on any pro-Arafat Palestinian attempting to politically mobilize other pro-Arafat Palestinians into making public demonstrations.
Both sources stated that Palestinian politics in general is very confusing and that political loyalty fluctuates according to particular national context.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Independent investigative journalist, London, England. 6 January 1998. Telephone interview.
Sociologist, Stitftung Wissenschaft Und Politik, Ebenhausen, Germany. 16 January 1998. Telephone interview.
