On Monday 9 December, several European Union Member States announced the suspension of the examination of asylum applications lodged on their territory by Syrian nationals, as well as the suspension of planned expulsions, in view of the uncertain situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad (see other news).
The Swedish authorities have announced that they will suspend the examination of asylum applications from Syrian refugees and their expulsions, as reported by AFP. Germany, France, Denmark and Norway have announced similar projects.
Austria, which also intends to suspend the processing of asylum applications for people from Syria, has nevertheless said that it is preparing “a programme of expulsions and repatriations”.
The European Commission, for its part, reminded on Monday that “the conditions are not ripe for a safe, voluntary and dignified return to Syria”. “We are convinced that most Syrians in the diaspora dream of returning home. It will be up to each individual and each family to decide”, it commented.
The subject will be discussed on Thursday 12 December by the EU interior ministers. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)