Germany and allies halt Syrian asylum amid political turmoil
The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the authorities of Austria, Denmark, and Sweden have decided to suspend accepting asylum applications from Syrian citizens. This decision comes in response to the growing political uncertainty in Syria.
The BAMF announced the suspension of accepting asylum applications from Syrians due to the uncertain situation in their homeland.
"The situation in Syria is uncertain, making it difficult to predict further political developments," stated the office's spokesperson in an interview with the weekly "Spiegel" portal.
This decision affects 47,270 unprocessed asylum applications, of which approximately 46,000 are first-time applications. BAMF reported that previous asylum decisions remain unchanged.
Four countries suspend accepting asylum applications from Syrians
Similar steps were taken in Austria, where Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, to suspend all asylum applications submitted by Syrian refugees and to conduct a detailed analysis of previously granted asylum cases.
"In this context, I instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly program for returns and deportations to Syria," confirmed Minister Karner in an interview with the portal Heute.at. Additionally, the program for family reunification has been suspended.
Currently, according to the Polish Press Agency, 12,886 cases concerning Syrian refugees are pending in Austria, including 1,146 related to family reunification.
Meanwhile, in Denmark, the Refugee Board announced the suspension of reviewing asylum applications of Syrian citizens until the situation in their country is clarified. This decision affects 69 complaints from Syrians who were previously denied asylum. Moreover, deportations to Syria have been halted.
The Swedish Migration Agency has also suspended issuing decisions regarding residence permits for Syrian citizens.
"Given the situation, it is simply not possible to assess the grounds for protection at this time," emphasized Carl Bexelius, a representative of the agency.
The leader of the anti-immigration party the Sweden Democrats (the second-largest party in parliament), Jimmie Akesson, appealed on the platform X for a review of residence documents of people from Syria. The politician expressed concern that "there are groups in Sweden pleased with the coup supported by destructive Islamist forces." He added that the fall of the Assad regime is "a good opportunity for Syrians to return home."
