(Zaman Al Wasl)- Syrian social media accounts circulated images of an identity card for displaced persons who have guarantors from the town of Jarjanaz in Idlib countryside. The identity card, which came into use based on the cooperation of the town Local Council and the Free Jarjanaz Police Station, includes the card holder’s name, surname, former place of residence, current place of residence, job type, and guarantor’s name.
The media office authority in Jarjanaz Police station, Abdul Baset al-Salloum explained some issues related to the “displaced person” card. He confirmed that it is the first of its kind in the liberated areas, and it is being issued to organize the large number of those coming into the area. The card is also a security measure to prevent breaches recently witnessed in liberated areas including Jarjanaz as a woman was abducted from the town a month ago, and there have been instances of theft and drug use among other felonies.
Al-Salloum explained that the police and the town local council issued the card recently for all displaced persons living in the town without exception to be able to identify them and for them to show the card to police patrols or to the Free Syrian Army fighters present at the town entrance.
Activists objected to the guarantor category on the card as it reminds them of the measures imposed in certain countries on Syrian migrants, but al-Salloum clarified that guarantor here means, “the owner of the house where the displaced person is staying, and the guarantor can be a relative or a friend. This clause was inserted for security reasons.”
He continued, “There are procedures to see if the guarantor knows the person they are guaranteeing and the guarantor must testify that the person is of good behavior and conduct. The guarantor must also cooperate with the Free Police for the security of the town in the event they suspect that there is something violating the guarantees’ security or the security of the town.”
According to al-Salloum, the card has benefits as card holders or their families can obtain dues from charities or relief organizations. Al-Salloum indicated that the receptiveness of the persons coming to pick up the card after those overseeing the project publicized the need to obtain the card. But he admitted that some of the person registered objected to the word “displaced person” and requested it be changed to guest or migrant. He confirmed that there is an intention to discuss changing the word in the Free Jarjanaz Police and Local Council meeting.
The activist Ahmad Mujahid from the city of Daraya expressed his sense of security regarding the issuing of the cards that aim to organize displaced persons’ residence, and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it. He commended the people of Jarjanaz for hosting families from Daraya who currently number 69 families. (Reporting by Faris al-Rifai)
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