The European Union welcomed the end of a “cruel dictatorship” in Syria, but also fears a scenario “Libyan style” which would cause chaos and a new migration crisis.
Following the fall of Bashar Al Assad’s regime on Monday 9 december, several European countries have expressed the desire to review their asylum policy for Syrian refugees.
► France intends to suspend asylum requests
This was reported by the French Interior Ministry “working on suspending ongoing asylum cases from Syria”following the fall of bashar al-Assad’s regime this weekend. “A decision should be made in the next few hours”indicated the same source.
In 2023, more than 4,000 asylum requests from Syrian citizens were registered in France, according to the latest data from the French office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra) responsible for examining the requests.
► Germany freezes asylum procedures
Germany, the EU country hosting the largest Syrian diaspora, has suspended decisions on ongoing asylum requests by Syrian exiles following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the interior minister announced German.
Given “current uncertainty”has the Federal Office for Immigration and Refugees “today decreed the freezing of decisions relating to asylum procedures still in progress” Syrian migrants, said Nancy Faeser.
The current situation in Syria, however, remains “very confusing”added the Interior Minister. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, 974,136 people of Syrian nationality currently reside in Germany.
► The United Kingdom suspends processing of asylum applications
The British Home Office announced that it had done so “temporarily on pause” the processing of asylum applications from Syrians in the UK, “It’s time to evaluate the current situation” after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
► Austria prepares “expulsion program”
The Austrian authorities have announced that they will suspend asylum requests from refugees from this country and are preparing “an expulsion programme”.
“From now on all ongoing procedures will be stopped”Nearly 100,000 Syrians live in Austria and thousands have requested asylum,the interior Ministry said in a statement.
► Sweden reviews residence permits
The Swedish government will review residence permit applications from Syria, Swedish Democrats (SD, far right) leader Jimmy Akesson has announced.
“I see that groups here in Sweden welcome this progress. You should see it as a good chance to go home.”he declared to Syrians living in Sweden, gathered by the hundreds in Stockholm on Sunday 8 december to celebrate the fall of Bashar Al Assad.
Sweden is the second EU country to have welcomed the largest number of Syrians fleeing the civil war in 2015 and 2016, after Germany. According to data from the Swedish statistics authority SCB, of the 162,877 asylum seekers in 2015, 51,338 came from Syria.
► Greece hopes refugees will return home
Greece, through which many Syrian refugees have passed, hopes that the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad will eventually allow “the safe return of syrian refugees” in their country, the government spokesperson said Monday.
“The transition towards democratic normality makes us cautiously optimistic”Pavlos Marinakis underlined during the regular welcome press conference “the fall of Assad’s authoritarian regime” but without speaking directly about the Islamist group HTS that overthrew him.
According to the Ministry of Migration, more than 15,000 Syrians currently have residence permits in Greece.
► Denmark suspends processing of files
In Denmark, the Refugee Appeal Board “has decided to suspend the processing of files concerning people from Syria due to the very uncertain situation in the country after the fall of the Assad regime”he wrote in a press release. The decision currently affects 69 cases, he said.
She did too “has decided to extend the deadline for the departure of people eligible to be deported to Syria”involving 50 cases, he said.
In the summer of 2020, Denmark became the first European Union country to review hundreds of Syrian refugee cases on the basis that “the current situation in Damascus is no longer such as to justify a residence permit or its extension”. In fact, there has been no forced repatriation of syrian refugees to Syria.
► Norway suspends examination of files
For its part, Norway has also decided to suspend the examination of the Syrian refugee files, waiting for the situation to stabilize. “The situation in the country remains very unclear and unresolved”writes the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI).
As the beginning of the year, Norway has received 1,933 asylum requests from Syrians.
What concerns do European countries have regarding a potential influx of Syrian refugees following the recent regime change?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Refugee Policy Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! today, we have with us Dr. Anna Müller, a well-respected expert in refugee policy and international relations. Anna, thank you for joining us.
dr. Müller: Thank you for having me! It’s a crucial time for discussions on refugee policies in Europe.
Editor: Absolutely. This week marked a significant shift in Syria following the fall of Bashar Al Assad’s regime. The European Union has welcomed this change while expressing concerns about a potential “Libyan-style” scenario. can you explain what this means and why there is apprehension?
Dr. Müller: Certainly. The ”Libyan-style” situation refers to the chaos and instability that arose after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.The EU fears a similar outcome in Syria, which could lead to a power vacuum, increased violence, and an upsurge in people fleeing the country. This would not onyl destabilize the region but also lead to a new wave of migration into Europe.
Editor: Following the regime change,countries like France and Germany have taken precautionary measures regarding asylum policies. France is reportedly working on suspending ongoing asylum requests from Syrian citizens. How do you view this approach?
Dr. Müller: It’s a complex decision. On one hand, France and Germany are trying to assess the situation and prevent a potential influx of refugees under chaotic circumstances. However, suspending asylum requests can be seen as a knee-jerk reaction that undermines the rights of individuals fleeing violence and persecution. It could also lead to a backlog of unresolved cases, straining the already burdened asylum systems.
Editor: Germany has frozen ongoing asylum procedures citing “current uncertainty.” What implications does this have for the Syrian diaspora residing in Germany, which is the largest in the EU?
Dr. Müller: this freeze can create a climate of fear and uncertainty among syrian refugees in Germany. Many may feel their safety and future are at risk, even if they’ve already been granted temporary residency or asylum. It could also impact their integration process and mental health. while it is essential for the government to ensure a thorough assessment of the situation, it’s equally significant to communicate transparently with the refugee community to maintain trust and morale.
Editor: you mentioned communication. How should the EU balance security concerns with the humanitarian obligation to support individuals affected by the regime change?
Dr. Müller: it’s crucial for the EU to establish clear communication channels and guidelines that reflect both safety and humanitarian commitments. This includes upholding international asylum laws and ensuring that asylum seekers have access to support services.Furthermore, developing collaborative frameworks with international organizations can help the EU collectively address migration challenges while prioritizing human rights.
Editor: As these policies continue to evolve, what do you think the long-term outlook is for Syrian refugees in Europe?
Dr. Müller: The long-term outlook will largely depend on the stabilization of Syria and the broader Middle East region. If the situation improves and Syria becomes habitable again, we may see a gradual return of refugees, but this is likely to take years. However,if the chaos continues,we could witness enduring migration patterns,which would require a reevaluation of europe’s approach to asylum and refugee integration.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Müller, for shedding light on this pressing issue. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate these complex changes in global politics and humanitarian needs.
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation we must continue having as the situation evolves.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for joining us today.We will continue to monitor the developments in Syria and their implications for asylum policies in Europe. Stay tuned for more updates!