Germany and Austria Halt Syrian Asylum Applications, Prepare Deportations After Assad's Departure

Dec 9, 2024, 03:20 PM

Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime and his departure from Syria, several European countries, including Germany, Austria, Denmark, Norway, and France, have suspended decisions on asylum applications from Syrian refugees. Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has halted processing of approximately 47,270 Syrian asylum applications, citing difficulties in assessing the evolving political landscape. Austria is preparing a deportation program, with Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stating, "I'm starting a deportation program to Syria." The country has suspended all new Syrian asylum applications and family reunifications, affecting around 7,300 open cases. Other countries such as Sweden, Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and France have also announced similar measures. The suspension may impact family reunification processes, and existing asylum decisions are being reviewed in some countries.