Returning Syrian refugees at risk of abuse, persecution -HRW report

FILE PHOTO: Syrian refugees are seen at the Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria, Jordan June 17, 2021. REUTERS/Alaa Al Sukhni

AMMAN (Reuters) - Dozens of Syrian refugees who fled the country to escape persecution have suffered abuse at the hands of authorities or pro-government militias after returning home, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Wednesday.

The report documented 65 cases of arrest, arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearances between 2017 and 2021 among returnees from Lebanon and Jordan, also accusing authorities in Beirut of pursing an "aggressive returns agenda" against the refugees.