The European Commission has stated that the choice to return Syrian refugees and asylum seekers lies with individual member states. However, according to EU law, the return processes must rely on personal assessments of asylum applications.
Commission spokesperson Stefan De Keersmaeker informed reporters in Brussels: “Decisions regarding asylum applications fall under the remit of the member states.”
“It is crucial that, when making these decisions, member states adhere to EU regulations in this area and ensure that individual assessments are always part of the decision-making process.”
He noted that member states have the option to delay the review of asylum applications if there are changes in the applicants’ country of origin. Individuals who do not qualify for protection under international law may then receive a return decision.
Austria, which has become home to approximately 100,000 Syrians, has announced the initiation of a returns program. Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Greece are all reviewing their policies regarding Syrian asylum applications.
Reports indicate that Belgium has put 3,000 asylum applications on hold following recent developments over the weekend.
Since the onset of the Syrian civil war, over one million refugees have fled to Europe, with many settling in Germany and Sweden.
Amnesty International has criticized the rapid policy shift concerning Syrian asylum seekers.
“The situation in Syria remains highly unstable,” expressed Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty’s EU office.
“Five decades of oppression and violence cannot be resolved in an instant. Yet, European governments have swiftly moved to stop the asylum applications of Syrians.”
“In these chaotic and transformative times, countries should refrain from placing Syrian refugees and asylum seekers into even greater uncertainty and precariousness.”
“The safety and autonomy of individuals seeking asylum must be prioritized in decision-making, rather than sacrificed to the extreme anti-refugee sentiment currently pervasive in Europe.”
Mr. De Keersmaeker emphasized that under EU asylum regulations, returns can only occur when conditions are suitable for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns, as outlined by a framework established by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
The European Commission has assured that it is closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Syria.
Since 2014, the European Union has designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization, following a United Nations Security Council resolution that linked HTS to Al Qaeda, which has been incorporated into EU law.
A spokesperson for the commission stated that there are no changes at present regarding the designation of HTS as a terrorist organization. However, EU foreign ministers will discuss the latest developments concerning Syria during their meeting in Brussels on Monday.
Final decisions on Syrian asylum applications paused
