European Nations Halt Syrian Asylum Applications Following Damascus Collapse

Berlin (Eurotoday) – European nations suspend Syrian asylum applications after insurgents capture Damascus, prompting concerns over Syria’s stability.

Several European nations placed asylum applications from Syrians on wait until additional directive after insurgents captured Damascus and President of Syria Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow following many years of civil unrest. 

What is Germany’s stance on Syrian asylum seekers now?

Germany was the first nation that unfolded its borders to thousands of asylum pleaders in 2015 at the peak of Syria’s civil battle. According to reports, Germany is now hosting almost a million Syrians, the biggest congregation in the EU. However, the German Interior Ministry expressed it would not accept more asylum appeals until there was more clearness on political outcomes in an uncertain nation. 

According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Syria is listed as the leading nation of origin for asylum petitioners in Germany this year, with around 72,420 petitioners proposed by the end of November. The postponement of applications does not impact those already given asylum. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated reviews would rely on outcomes in Syria, and that it was too momentarily to express whether the land was secure to return to.

How are the UK, Austria, Norway and France responding to Syrian asylum requests?

The UK has also halted proceedings on asylum applications as well, with the UK interior ministry stating it was considering the circumstances. Under a UK administration plan around 20,319 Syrian refugees had been migrated to the nation from 2014 to 2021, according to the Refugee Council.

Further nations including Austria, Norway, the Netherlands and Italy, also reported delays to Syrian asylum appeals. Paris stated it expected to report a matching decision soon. In its announcement, the Italian administration stated it would uphold a diplomatic sight in Syria, voicing profound thanks to the embassy attendants there.

Immigration authorities of Norway expressed that Syrian asylum seekers would neither be rejected nor endorsed for now. Denmark also halted functioning applications and expressed that Syrians whose applications had already been denied, and who had been issued a deadline to depart, would be permitted to remain extended due to the current tension.

Moreover, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer ordered his interior minister to stop all present Syrian asylum seekers and relative