Several European countries, including Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, have announced the suspension of decisions on asylum claims by Syrian nationals due to the uncertain situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad.
Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees revealed that over 47,000 applications from Syrian nationals are currently pending. The office stated that it would reevaluate the situation and resume decisions once Syria stabilizes.
Interior Ministry spokespersons emphasized that asylum decisions are made based on individual circumstances, taking into account the situation in the applicant's country. With the current uncertainty in Syria, the migration authorities have the option to prioritize cases from other regions.
German officials expressed that it is premature to predict the implications of Assad's fall on the Syrian refugees in Germany, where over 974,000 Syrian nationals reside, most with refugee or protected status.
In Austria, Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the suspension of asylum application decisions for Syrians, aiming to await clarity on the situation before proceeding with asylum and family reunion procedures.
Sweden's Migration Agency also announced a pause on Syrian asylum cases, citing the inability to assess applicants' protection needs accurately at present. A similar decision was made in response to the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021.
In Finland, the Finnish Immigration Service has suspended decisions on Syrian asylum applications, with no immediate timeline for resumption provided. Similarly, Norway's Directorate of Immigration has halted Syrian asylum applications until further notice.
France is contemplating following Germany's lead in suspending ongoing asylum files from Syria. The French Interior Ministry disclosed that 450 applications from Syrian citizens are currently pending in France, with a decision expected in the near future.
