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UNHCR Chief Reviews Turkey’s Voluntary Return Program for Syrians

(MENAFN) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Barham Salih visited the Oncupinar border crossing in Kilis on Tuesday to observe Türkiye’s voluntary return operations for Syrians, accompanied by Huseyin Kok, head of Türkiye’s Presidency of Migration Management.

According to the Presidency, voluntary returns for Syrians under temporary protection are conducted transparently with UNHCR oversight and fully comply with international standards.

During the visit, the high commissioner reviewed the facilities and procedures at the Voluntary Return Center, where systems are in place to ensure orderly, efficient, and dignified border crossings.

Kok emphasized that all procedures, from registration to departure, are designed with full respect for human dignity. Syrian applicants can submit requests online through provincial migration offices, often receiving same-day or next-day processing, minimizing delays at the border.

Voluntary returns from Türkiye began in 2016 and accelerated after developments in Syria on Dec. 8, 2024. Türkiye continues to host one of the world’s largest refugee populations under temporary protection while facilitating safe and dignified returns.

As of early 2026, official data from the Ministry of Interior and UNHCR show that over 600,000 Syrians have voluntarily returned since December 2024, bringing the cumulative total since 2016 to more than 1.3 million.

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