Asylum Stop for Syrians: Austria Now Plans Deportation Program

Chancellor Karl Nehammer has instructed Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP) on Monday to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants.

Austria Suspends Ongoing Syrian Asylum Applications

"In this context, I have instructed the ministry to prepare a structured repatriation and deportation program to Syria," Karner said in a statement. At the same time, family reunification will also be suspended.

The political situation in Syria has "fundamentally and above all rapidly changed" in recent days, according to a written statement from the Interior Ministry to the APA. The ministry is currently observing and analysing the new situation. "A reassessment of the situation is essential for the further processing of the cases (pending procedures, family procedures, revocation procedures)." This is done by assessing the situation on the ground.

"Asylum grants are actually temporary," Nehammer emphasized in a video statement on the X platform in the evening. And now it's about helping the Syrians who have fled to us to return to their homeland. At the same time, all ongoing procedures must be stopped because the reason for asylum no longer exists and must be re-examined, argued Nehammer.

Around 7,300 Open Procedures Affected by Asylum Stop

According to the Interior Ministry, the stop affects around 7,300 open procedures at first instance. At the beginning of 2024, 95,180 Syrians were living in Austria, according to the Interior Ministry, citing data from Statistik Austria. From January to November 2024, 12,871 asylum applications were filed by Syrian citizens.

From 2015 to November 2024, 86,905 Syrians received a positive asylum decision, and 17,421 Syrians received a positive decision regarding subsidiary protection.

As of November 30, 2024, a total of 12,886 procedures from Syrian citizens are open (first and second instance), of which 1,146 can be assigned to family reunification. The Federal Office for Foreigners and Asylum (BFA) is responsible for the first instance, which is now suspended, and the Federal Administrative Court for the second instance.

Federal Administrative Court Refers to Individual Case Examination

The Federal Administrative Court (BVwG) pointed out that as an administrative court deciding "in the matter itself", it must apply the current factual and legal situation at the time of its decisions in each individual case. In asylum proceedings, the decision is based on a current and well-founded country report situation.

The situation in Syria is currently very unstable. In addition, the question of whether a decision can be made also depends on the submissions made by the party lodging the complaint, according to a statement.

Kickl Calls for "Priority Action" and "Immediate Deportations"

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl called on Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) on Monday to immediately "initiate several measures". This should include a priority action to revoke the protection status, in addition to "immediate deportations - also of asylum seekers" - and furthermore no more acceptance of asylum applications. He referred to the demonstrations by Syrians that took place in Vienna the day before, who had "loudly celebrated the overthrow of Assad". This clearly showed that they could return to their homeland Syria, "because the conditions from which they allegedly fled have changed", Kickl said. He also called for a "return initiative" at EU level and saw here, in addition to Karner, especially Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) in the draw.

Upper Austrian Integration Councilor Christian Dörfel (ÖVP) expressed similar views, calling for the suspension of ongoing asylum procedures and the revocation of already granted asylum decisions. The changed political situation in the country required a reassessment of the reasons for flight, he said.

For the NEOS, the temporary suspension of asylum applications and applications for family reunification is "appropriate and understandable". The rule of law will clarify whether and when there will be a "sufficient stabilization" of the situation in Syria, emphasized asylum spokeswoman Stephanie Krisper: "Whenever that is the case, we assume that many Syrians will want to return to their homeland voluntarily." Therefore, return assistance and advice would also be needed then.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.