Syrian asylum seekers in limbo as countries stop applications

A growing number of European countries, including the UK, Austria, Germany, France, and Greece, have suspended processing asylum applications from Syrian refugees, following the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This move has left thousands of Syrians in limbo, as the political situation in their home country continues to evolve after years of brutal conflict and dictatorship.

Austria’s caretaker government has taken the most drastic step, halting all asylum claims from Syrians and even planning to repatriate or deport those already residing in the country. The Austrian government argues that Syria’s situation has changed dramatically, making it feasible for some Syrians to return to their homeland. Austria’s Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, a conservative known for his tough stance on immigration, stated that the government would “support all Syrians who have found refuge in Austria and want to return to their home country.” He also emphasized the need for a reassessment of Syria’s security situation in order to make deportations possible in the future.

Austria currently hosts around 95,000 Syrians, many of whom arrived during the European migrant crisis in 2015 and 2016. The influx of refugees during this time has sparked a backlash, particularly from far-right groups and conservative factions within the country, fueling anti-immigration sentiment. Austria’s Interior Ministry has pointed out that the political situation in Syria has “changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days,” which has led to the suspension of asylum applications.

Germany, which has the largest Syrian diaspora population outside of the Middle East, with about one million Syrians living in the country, has also paused asylum decisions for Syrians. The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees announced that it would put all pending applications on hold. Currently, about 47,270 Syrians in Germany are awaiting a decision on their asylum cases. Although Germany has granted asylum to many Syrians since the start of the war in Syria, the government has stated that the political instability in Syria makes it impossible to assess whether the country is safe for returnees. Those Syrians who have already been granted asylum are not affected by the new policy.

In the UK, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed that the government has paused asylum decisions for Syrian applicants while the Home Office monitors the rapidly changing situation in Syria. Cooper acknowledged that the fall of the Assad regime has created a volatile situation, which could affect the safety of potential returnees. Between 2011 and 2021, the UK granted asylum to over 30,000 Syrians, many of whom were resettled under humanitarian programs from countries like Turkey and Lebanon. However, the number of Syrians living in the UK has since dropped from an estimated 47,000 in 2019 to approximately 30,000 today.

France is expected to adopt a policy similar to Germany’s, pausing asylum decisions until more clarity is gained on Syria’s situation. A decision from the French government is expected in the near future. Meanwhile, in Lebanon and Jordan, two of the largest hosts of Syrian refugees, thousands of Syrians have begun returning to Syria. However, the flow of people has not been one-sided. On the Lebanese border, increasing numbers of Syrians have been attempting to cross back into Lebanon, raising concerns over potential instability in Syria. The Lebanese military has reinforced its presence along the border, while some refugees have expressed concerns about rising chaos or crime in their homeland. These refugees, however, have also received assurances from the Syrian government that the situation is under control.

Lebanon, which hosts over one million Syrian refugees, has recently tightened its rules for refugee entry, further complicating the situation for Syrians hoping to flee to safety. With more Syrians returning home from countries like Lebanon and Jordan, the fate of those remaining in Europe remains uncertain.

The pause in asylum applications for Syrians marks a significant shift in Europe’s stance on Syrian refugees, reflecting the evolving political dynamics in Syria and the uncertainty surrounding the safety of potential returnees. It remains to be seen whether these policies will change as the situation in Syria continues to develop or if Syrians already in European countries will face increased pressure to return to their homeland. For now, many are left in a state of uncertainty, unsure of their future in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.