As European countries suspend the processing of Syrian asylum applications, refugees are increasingly gripped by the fear of being deported. This fear is fueled by shifting political priorities in host nations and the uncertain security situation in Syria, leaving many in limbo about their future and safety

In the days following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, several countries across Europe, such as Germany, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, have declared their intention to temporarily halt the processing of asylum applications from Syrian nationals. This suspension applies not only to newly submitted asylum requests but also to applications already under review.

Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, at least 7.4 million Syrians are still displaced within the country, according to the United Nations. Around 4.9 million have taken refuge in neighbouring countries, while another 1.3 million have resettled in other regions, mainly in Europe.

The EUAA report states that about 101,000 Syrian asylum applications are still awaiting a decision in EU countries. In the UK, the Home Office reports that over 27,000 Syrians have applied for asylum since the start of the civil war, with 90 percent of applications approved. However, as of September 2024, 6,502 Syrian asylum claims remain pending.

In a wave of coordinated policy shifts, European nations reacted swiftly. Overlooking Syria’s destroyed infrastructure and precarious security situation, many nations suspended asylum applications after the opposition gained control of Damascus and Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia.

Anti-LGBT laws and widespread homophobia in much of Syrian society leave gay and transgender Syrians in a state of crisis, fearing persecution if they were to return.

NOW spoke with Francois Zankih who was exposed to torture and death threats when he lived in Syria, who is also the founder of Syria’s first LGBTQ organization, Guardians of Equality Movement. “For me and for so many Syrians there’s no bigger risk than the Assad family, but I also don’t want Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham to be the government of Syria,” he said.

Francois who was kidnapped and abused by HTS for his activism and article writing on LGBT and gender rights in 2016 fears that the group will make life harder for minorities in Syria.

The pause on asylum applications for Syrians in a post-Assad era overlooks individuals fleeing for reasons beyond the political situation, such as religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

By focusing solely on political developments, these countries have set a policy that leaves vulnerable asylum seekers in a state of uncertainty. This creates undue pressure for them to return involuntarily, despite the unsafe and undignified conditions they may face. It also risks encouraging harmful migration practices and violates international law, as refugees are being pushed to consider returns without knowing their future status or when it will be safe for them to go back.

“My message to the European Union is that they should exclude the LGBTQIA+ community from the asylum halting policies, immediately, otherwise this is not only a failure of their commitment to the Geneva Convention, but also a failure of their commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the agenda of supporting and protecting the LGBTQIA+ community in their foreign policy,” Francois expressed.

Many Syrian refugees cannot return to Syria because they have no homes to go back to. The ongoing conflict has left vast parts of the country in ruins, with entire neighborhoods destroyed, infrastructure devastated, and essential services like healthcare and education are limited.

Even if they were willing to return, many refugees would struggle to find jobs or rebuild their lives in a country where the economy is severely damaged and opportunities for work are scarce. With no stable environment or support systems, returning would not only be unsafe but also practically impossible for many, making the decision to halt asylum applications even more problematic.

Directions taken by European governments

Austria recently expressed support for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, aligning with a broader trend in Europe where several countries are taking similar steps. Belgium has temporarily suspended asylum applications, while Germany has paused all asylum procedures indefinitely.

In Sweden, the government has raised concerns about the ongoing need for protection, leading to the suspension of Syrian asylum case processing. Similarly, the UK, France, and Denmark have frozen asylum decisions as they reassess the security situation in Syria. Denmark has allowed individuals whose asylum claims were rejected to stay temporarily.

Other countries in Europe have taken similar actions. Greece has put a hold on 9,000 asylum applications, the Netherlands has introduced a six-month freeze, and Norway has stopped processing ongoing requests from Syrians.

These actions indicate a change in how Syrian asylum seekers are being treated throughout Europe.

A Syrian family, who fled the war in 2015, is now in limbo in the Netherlands due to the government’s decision to freeze asylum applications for Syrians. They fear deportation back to Syria, where they have lost everything including their home, belongings, and livelihood in the war.

Despite rebuilding their lives in the Netherlands, including sending their children to school, they are now uncertain about their future, feeling trapped and fearful that they may be sent back to a country where they have no safety or resources.

A member of this family, Amin, told NOW that “there is no home to return to, there are no jobs waiting for us, and the infrastructure in Syria is shattered. Even if we were willing to go back, we would have no way to support ourselves, let alone our children.”

The government’s decision to halt asylum applications has created a feeling of hopelessness to many Syrians like Amin who fear that everything will be taken away from them.

Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462

The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.