Damascus International Airport witnessed the delivery of an unconventional message to Syrians returning from abroad on Saturday. The message directly addressed the deepest fears of Syrians: security arrests and interrogations based on their political views. The message, which circulated among activists and observers, bore a powerful yet coded title: "Rest assured... they've moved 'your aunt's house' out of service."
The term "your aunt's house" (or "the aunt's house") has, for decades, been a coded reference in the Syrian collective memory to prisons and detention centers run by the security branches. This symbolic phrase, used to avoid uttering the words "arrest" or "security branch" for fear of surveillance, symbolized enforced disappearance and humiliation. The use of this specific term in an official or semi-official message to returnees underscores the sender's awareness of the security concerns that deter hundreds of thousands from returning.
The Essence of Reassurance and the Source of Anxiety
According to the message, "that era is over," and the country "accommodates everyone," including those with dissenting "ideas and stances." This call represents a significant shift in official discourse, opening the door to the political return of opposition figures, not just their humanitarian return.
Therefore, the message is an implicit acknowledgment of the oppressive past and the use of colloquial language ("your aunt's house") to break down the barrier of fear.
This message also represents an attempt to promote a different image of the Syrian reality. It is not merely an announcement, but rather the use of symbolic language (a code) that Syrians understand well, within a humanitarian context (return), with the aim of influencing the crucial decision of those living abroad.
According to observers, the success of this strategy depends primarily on genuine transparency and whether this message is accompanied by clear policies and procedures that guarantee impunity. There is also a need for international monitoring mechanisms to oversee the fate of those returning, a demand made by humanitarian organizations.
A Return Conditional on Reform
In short, the "your aunt's house is out of service" message reflects a desire (or a need) to bring back skilled and skilled workers who have emigrated. But a safe and sustainable return will not be achieved by a mere media message, but by structural and legal change that guarantees the principle of non-refoulement, rebuilds peace and social cohesion, and turns frightening symbolic terms into mere tales of the past.
By Faris Rifai
Zaman Al Wasl
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