No "Mass Deportation": Syrians in Austria to Gradually Return Home

The changed power dynamics in Syria shaped the "Current Hour" of the National Council on Wednesday. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) advocated for an "orderly and gradual" return of Syrians to their homeland.

Initially, he wants to promote voluntary return and organise flights for this purpose. At the same time, he commissioned his department to create a "forced repatriation and deportation list".

Karner Wants Gradual Return of Syrians

The Interior Minister did not set a timeline. Deportations should then take place "when it is possible after this confusing time". Karner primarily thinks of criminal individuals and those who are not willing to integrate and work. For him, it's about an "orderly deportation and repatriation program". This does not mean "immediate mass deportations", as the FPÖ wants, nor simply watching and waiting.

The Freedom Party was relatively restrained compared to the past few days. The MP Gernot Darmann wondered what the ÖVP interior ministers had been doing in recent years if deportation lists were only being created now. Security spokesman Hannes Amesbauer expressed concern about the demonstrations of Syrians in Vienna - specifically about the fact that they were so well organised to be able to "rally" 30,000 Syrians. On the other hand, "peaceful demos" were banned, he referred to a corresponding decision by the police at a rally for FPÖ government participation.

Situation in Syria Must Be Monitored

SPÖ deputy club leader Philip Kucher advocated for a cautious approach. First, one must wait and see what exactly happens on the ground. Europe should contribute to ensuring a safe return in the medium term. Slogans, stagings and "political blabla" would not move Austria forward by a millimetre.

On behalf of the NEOS, MP Yannick Shetty said that those who no longer have a claim to protection must be repatriated. The question is how and when. He emphasised towards the FPÖ that their friend Vladimir Putin in Syria had deliberately helped to trigger refugee movements. The Freedom Party had in turn made political capital out of this.

Green MP Agnes Prammer reminded of the uncertain situation in Syria, after all, the Assad regime had been overthrown by Islamist extremists. Now it is important to support those pro-democratic forces in all states who want to return and rebuild Syria. It is necessary to create a security situation that does not lead to further escalation.

(APA/Red)

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