Following Germany, Austria and Greece, England, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands also suspended the asylum applications of Syrian citizens. The Austrian government went one step further and announced that it planned to deport Syrian refugees and send them back to their country.
ENGLAND
The British Home Office announced that decisions on asylum applications of Syrians were stopped after the opposition captured the Syrian capital Damascus at the weekend. The Ministry said, “While the Ministry of Internal Affairs evaluates the current situation, it has suspended the decisions regarding the asylum applications of Syrians.”
ITALY
Italy announced that it has suspended the procedures regarding Syrians’ asylum requests. In the written statement made by the Prime Ministry, it was stated that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chaired a meeting to evaluate the situation in Syria after the council of ministers meeting.
In the statement regarding the meeting attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Minister of Internal Affairs Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry Alfredo Mantovano and senior managers of the intelligence services, the following was said: “At a time when conflicts are still continuing in some parts of Syria, the focus on the security of civilians was given at the meeting.” “Special attention was given to the security of Italian citizens and the protection of Christians and all minorities, with absolute priority being given to the necessity of ensuring a peaceful and inclusive transition process.” expressions were used.
FINLAND
Finnish Immigration Services also made a similar decision and announced that asylum applications from Syrians will continue to be received, but these applications will not be processed. Antti Lehtinen, Director of the Asylum Unit of Migri, Finland’s immigration services agency, said, “As of this morning, we have suspended the decision-making process on Syrians’ asylum applications,” and pointed out that the situation in Syria has changed greatly.
SWEDISH
Sweden also announced that all applications for Syrians seeking asylum will be suspended. “Given the current situation, it is not possible to assess the reasons for needing protection at present,” said Carl Bexelius, Head of Legal Affairs at the Swedish Immigration Agency.
DENMARK
The Danish Refugee Agency also announced that the processing of asylum applications of Syrian citizens has been suspended following the latest developments. “The Danish Refugee Application Board is closely following the developments in Syria, and the committee will discuss the situation and the impact of the developments on the relevant decisions at the next ordinary meeting to be held on January 16, 2025,” the agency said.
NORWAY
The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) announced that asylum applications for Syrian citizens have been temporarily suspended. In the statement made by UDI, the reason for the decision was given as the uncertainty of the situation in the country following the latest developments in Syria.
FRANCE
The French Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the government is preparing to freeze asylum applications from Syrians. In the news on the subject, it was noted that the decision was expected to be taken within a few hours.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the French government is considering a solution similar to Germany, which stopped asylum applications for Syrians.
HOLLAND
Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration, Marjolein Faber, said in her statement: “The developments in Syria have occurred rapidly one after the other in recent days. “For this reason, I decided to temporarily freeze the asylum applications of those coming from Syria,” he said.
THEY ARE PLANNING TO DEPORT
In Austria, where approximately 100 thousand Syrian immigrants live, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced that Syrian immigrants are planned to be deported. Karner, who did not give any details about which status immigrants would be deported, said, “I have instructed the ministry to prepare a regular return and deportation program to Syria.” (UAV)