Britain Suspends Syrian Asylum Claims Amid Political Upheaval

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In response to significant political changes in Syria, the UK government has decided to suspend decisions on asylum applications from Syrians. This move aligns with actions taken by Germany and Austria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The decision reflects a cautious approach as nations assess the implications of the regime change on the safety of Syrians seeking refuge.  

 

It followed calls by senior Tory and Reform MPs for such a move after President Assad and his family fled the country in the face of a two-week march on Damascus by Islamist rebels.

 

A Home Office spokesperson confirmed, “The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation. We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims kept under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.”  

 

The collapse of Assad’s government raises questions about the ongoing risk faced by Syrians who fled persecution under his rule. However, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, emphasized in Parliament that this pause would not impact those already part of the UK’s resettlement program. This scheme primarily assists individuals escaping conflict directly from Syria or neighboring regions.  

 

Currently, over 6,500 Syrians in the UK are awaiting decisions on their asylum applications. Most arrived via small boats across the English Channel, bypassing official resettlement channels. With 99% of Syrian asylum claims typically approved, they have one of the highest success rates, comparable to those of Sudanese, Eritrean, and Afghan applicants.  

 

The UK’s move mirrors Germany's recent decision to freeze decisions on more than 47,000 Syrian asylum applications. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “In view of this unclear situation, it is right that the federal office for migration and refugees has today imposed a freeze on decisions for asylum procedures that are still ongoing until the situation is clearer.”  

 

Similarly, Austria has adopted a stringent stance. The country, home to one of Europe’s largest Syrian diaspora populations with approximately 100,000 Syrians, has also halted asylum proceedings for Syrian nationals. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer directed the interior ministry to review all existing asylum grants for Syrians and suspend ongoing applications. An official statement from the ministry declared, “From now on, open (asylum) proceedings of Syrian citizens will be stopped.”  

 

This collective response by European nations underscores the uncertainty surrounding Syria’s future. As governments await clarity on the political and security situation, the fate of thousands seeking refuge hangs in the balance.

 

Based on a report by Independent 2024-12-11

 

 

 

[RichardColeman]

It's safe to go home - go home.

 

My opinion is that people should only be allowed asylum in a country when they accept that should the country be deemed safe later, you have to return.

 

If you have had a family by then you are free to take them with you, OR show that your partner can sustain you on their wage / income / savings like everybody else has to do to go live in the USA. NO money, no life in the UK.

[simple1]

Rather odd decision given the current power in Syria resides with a designated terrorist group. Additionally it will take years to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, housing and so on. With the Syrian economy in a black hole who's going to provide the funding to rebuild once the new power brokers are deemed to be cleared for finance?

[James105]

32 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Rather odd decision given the current power in Syria resides with a designated terrorist group. Additionally it will take years to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, housing and so on. With the Syrian economy in a black hole who's going to provide the funding to rebuild once the new power brokers are deemed to be cleared for finance?

 

They need fighting aged men then to rebuild the houses and infrastructure.  By fortuitous coincidence there are tens of thousands of Syrian men that no longer need asylum in the UK that can be returned post haste to help them do this.  

 

Don't worry about funding, Labour love giving away UK taxpayers money to terrorist groups, they will be fine.   

[mokwit]

39 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Rather odd decision given the current power in Syria resides with a designated terrorist group. Additionally it will take years to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, housing and so on. With the Syrian economy in a black hole who's going to provide the funding to rebuild once the new power brokers are deemed to be cleared for finance?

UK tax payers. Only GBP 11m so far.

[mokwit]

40 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Rather odd decision given the current power in Syria resides with a designated terrorist group. Additionally it will take years to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, housing and so on. With the Syrian economy in a black hole who's going to provide the funding to rebuild once the new power brokers are deemed to be cleared for finance?

Have you not been watching the BBC? These are MODERATE Islamic extremists. There is only one beheading on social media so far, all the other summary executions are carried out with guns as per international best practice.

[MalcolmB]

11 minutes ago, James105 said:

Don't worry about funding, Labour love giving away UK taxpayers money to terrorist groups, they will be fine.

If only the previous government had the balls to do this we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now.

[HK MacPhooey]

3 hours ago, simple1 said:

Rather odd decision given the current power in Syria resides with a designated terrorist group. Additionally it will take years to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, housing and so on. With the Syrian economy in a black hole who's going to provide the funding to rebuild once the new power brokers are deemed to be cleared for finance?

Rather a not odd decision - Syrian asylum seekers (and maybe many Iranian, Iraqi, etc) were fleeing the Assad regime which has been totally toppled so they can all safely be returned to Syria to rejoin their families and help to rebuild their nation.

 

The Iranian, Iraqi and others that claimed to be Syrians and that the Home Office weren’t smart enough to determine their nationhood can also join in to make Syria great again…

[simple1]

1 minute ago, HK MacPhooey said:

Rather a not odd decision - Syrian asylum seekers (and maybe many Iranian, Iraqi, etc) were fleeing the Assad regime which has been totally toppled so they can all safely be returned to Syria to rejoin their families and help to rebuild their nation.

 

The Iranian, Iraqi and others that claimed to be Syrians and that the Home Office weren’t smart enough to determine their nationhood can also join in to make Syria great again…

 

Why would Iranians be seeking asylum from the Assad regime? The decision by HMG relates to those claiming Syrian nationality. Taken over by declared terrorist group by US / UK, therefore I believe a rather strange decision at this stage. If their asylum application are halted also means they cannot find work etc so need to be supported by the tax payer for a longer period

[Denim]

Doh !

[mokwit]

16 hours ago, simple1 said:

 

Why would Iranians be seeking asylum from the Assad regime?

Rather naive, people from everywhere claimed to be Syrian with either lost or forged documents because Syria was the credible asylum at that time. Austria turned away 2,000 people in just one day for having forged documents.

 

There was a Guardian journalist who took in a "Syrian" and was rather puzzled about how he would talk about the war but not his life in Syria - obviously he was  scared that he would commit some gaffe like claiming to flee Aleppo by boat with the harbour under fire or somesuch.

 

I wish Lefties would wise up as to how they are being played by schemers who have got it all worked out.

[RayC]

23 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

It's safe to go home - go home.

 

My opinion is that people should only be allowed asylum in a country when they accept that should the country be deemed safe later, you have to return.

 

If you have had a family by then you are free to take them with you, OR show that your partner can sustain you on their wage / income / savings like everybody else has to do to go live in the USA. NO money, no life in the UK.

 

By no stretch of the imagination could Syria currently be called safe.