The UK and several European countries have suspended the processing of asylum applications from Syrians, following the unexpected fall of the Assad regime in Damascus. With Austria already preparing for a “repatriation and deportation” programme, these decisions have sparked heated discussions about the future of Syrian refugees in Europe.
A spokesperson from the UK Home Office confirmed the decision, stating that the government had “temporarily paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims while we assess the current situation.” They added that they continually review all country guidance on asylum claims to address emerging issues.
This shift in policy comes amidst a period of great uncertainty in Syria. The day after rebel forces seized the capital, Damascus, President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, leaving the future of the country in doubt.
Germany, which has taken in nearly one million Syrian refugees, was among the first to react. Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, expressed relief over the fall of Assad’s regime. “The end of Assad’s brutal tyranny has come as a great relief to many,” Faeser said. “Many refugees who have found protection in Germany now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland and rebuilding their country.”
However, she also acknowledged that the situation in Syria remains unclear and volatile. “For now, the federal office for migration and refugees has frozen decisions on asylum claims,” Faeser explained, adding that over 47,000 Syrian asylum applications are currently pending.
Other European nations swiftly followed suit. Sweden’s migration agency announced it would pause all decisions on Syrian asylum requests and deportations. France, Greece, Finland, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium have also suspended processing asylum claims or are considering similar measures.
Austria has gone a step further. The country’s caretaker government announced a complete halt to the processing of Syrian asylum applications and ordered a review of all previously granted asylum cases. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the government was preparing an “orderly repatriation and deportation” programme for Syrians. He did not provide further details on how this would be implemented.
With Syria’s future in flux, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, urged countries to take a cautious approach. “Patience and vigilance are necessary,” Grandi said, adding that countries should wait for a clearer picture of the situation in Syria before making decisions that affect refugees. “We hope developments on the ground will evolve in a positive manner, allowing voluntary, safe, and sustainable returns,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, some in Germany have suggested that Syrians could now return home. Jens Spahn of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) proposed that the German government should offer charter flights to Syria and provide financial incentives, such as €1,000 (£830), to anyone who wishes to return to Syria.
This sentiment was echoed by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), with Alice Weidel stating that Syrians in Germany who celebrate the fall of Assad “no longer have any reason to flee.” “They should return to Syria immediately,” she declared on social media.
In contrast, others have sharply criticized these proposals. Thorsten Frei of the CDU suggested that Syrians who had been denied asylum should lose their “subsidiary protection” and be sent back to Syria. However, this viewpoint was met with strong opposition, particularly from members of the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Dirk Wiese, vice-chair of the SPD parliamentary group, condemned the suggestion, calling it “populist and irresponsible.” He said that discussing a freeze on Syrian asylum admissions at this point was unhelpful, as the situation in Syria remains too unpredictable.
Human rights groups have also raised alarms about the risks of returning refugees to Syria. Pro Asyl, a German refugee rights organization, warned that the situation in Syria remains dire. “Chaos and violence continue to reign in Syria. Armed groups control large parts of the country, and there is neither a stable government nor functioning state structures,” said Tareq Alaows, spokesperson for Pro Asyl. He added that many cities are considered unsafe, and the country’s infrastructure has been largely destroyed.
Alaows criticized the calls for deportation, describing them as “irresponsible.” “It is a disregard for international protection obligations and shows a lack of empathy toward people who have already suffered unimaginable hardship,” he said.
The debate over whether to suspend asylum applications or force refugees to return home reflects the complex political and humanitarian challenges facing Europe as it navigates the aftermath of Assad’s fall. While some view the developments in Syria as an opportunity for refugees to return home, many are urging caution, stressing that the country’s future remains uncertain, and returning could place lives at risk.
