UNHCR emphasises that situation remains uncertain, calls for patience and vigilance before decisions on returns
In a brief video statement made yesterday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the Home Office has paused asylum decisions on cases from Syria in the wake of the fall of the Syrian government run by Bashar al-Assad.
Image credit: WikipediaThe Home Secretary said: "We know that the situation in Syria is moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime. We have seen some people returning to Syria, but we also have a very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor. And that is why, like Germany, like France, and like other countries, we have paused asylum decisions on cases from Syria while the Home Office reviews and monitors the current situation."
All Home Office country policy and information notes on Syria were withdrawn yesterday. A brief message on the UK Visas and Immigration country information page for Syria states: "Due to current events in Syria, we are reviewing the situation and will issue an update in due course."
The Times' home affairs editor, Matt Dathan, noted yesterday that 6,502 Syrians are currently waiting the outcome of their asylum claim in the UK. The figure was confirmed this morning by Dame Angela Eagle, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, when speaking to LBC.
In an important comment published today regarding the suspension of Syrian asylum claims, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reaffirmed that it is critical that all individuals fleeing violence and persecution, including Syrians, have the right to seek safety and asylum. As such, Syrian asylum seekers must have access to asylum procedures, with their applications assessed individually and fairly.
The UNHCR said, however, that in light of the uncertain and highly fluid situation in Syria, the suspension of processing of asylum applications from Syrians is acceptable as long as people can apply for asylum and are able to lodge asylum applications.
The UNHCR further stated: "Syrian asylum-seekers who are waiting for a resumption of decision-making on their claims should continue to be granted the same rights as all other asylum-seekers, including in terms of reception conditions. No asylum-seeker should be forcibly returned, as this would violate the non-refoulement obligation on States."
In a statement issued yesterday, Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, emphasised that the situation in Syria remains uncertain, and patience and vigilance will be necessary to see if developments on the ground will evolve in a positive manner that would enable safe returns.
Grandi added: "Let us not forget – also – that the needs within Syria remain immense. With shattered infrastructure and over 90 per cent of the population relying on humanitarian aid, urgent assistance is required as winter approaches – including shelter, food, water, and warmth."
In a post on X, Nadia Hardman, a researcher in the Refugee and Migrants Rights Division of Human Rights Watch, emphasised the importance of safeguarding Syrian refugees in host countries amid the ongoing uncertainty. She outlined four principles for refugee protection, urging nations hosting Syrian refugees to cease discussions about returns given the unpredictable and fragile situation. Hardman also called for maintaining refugee and temporary protection measures while offering support to those who choose to return voluntarily. She underscored that the voluntariness of return must be the key factor.
Asylum Aid expressed 'extreme concern' over the UK's decision to suspend decision making in Syrian asylum cases, warning that the volatile and complex situation in Syria makes any assumptions about safety premature.
Asylum Aid said in a statement: "The government is in no position to assume the safety of individuals in such a volatile and developing situation. … The reasons for Syrian nationals claiming asylum in the UK are multi-faceted, complex and in no way limited solely to the atrocities committed by the Assad regime. The Home Office's own Immigration Rules make clear that people should only be found to no longer be entitled to protection where a change of circumstances in their country of origin is 'of such a significant and non-temporary nature that the refugee's fear of persecution can no longer be regarded as well-founded'. It is far too early to make this assessment."