Ministers are facing mounting pressure to resume the processing of Syrian asylum applications, which was suspended in December 2022 following the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad. The latest statistics reveal that more than 7,000 Syrians in the UK are caught in a state of uncertainty, waiting for their asylum claims to be evaluated. Advocacy organizations including the Refugee Council argue that this ongoing pause has left many individuals in an "indefinite limbo" and are urging the government to consider claims on a case-by-case basis.
Calls Intensify for Resumption of Syrian Asylum Claims as Thousands Await Decisions
Calls Intensify for Resumption of Syrian Asylum Claims as Thousands Await Decisions
As over 7,000 Syrian asylum seekers remain in limbo, charities and advocacy groups press the UK government to restart processing claims, which were paused last December following political upheaval in Syria.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the processing of asylum cases was temporarily halted to assess the evolving situation in Syria. A total of 7,386 Syrian asylum seekers were still awaiting decisions as of the end of March, with the ongoing conflict and political instability posing challenges for any return to their home country. Conversely, the government previously speculated that many claims stemmed from fears related to Assad's regime, suggesting a potential return could occur once safety is established.
"Many of them are still calling for democratic change in Syria, which is not guaranteed at the moment," cautioned Haytham Alhamwi, chairman of the Syrian British Consortium, highlighting the complexities of returning home. Although the number of asylum claims dropped sharply following the freeze, some individuals continued to arrive in the UK via small boats, illustrating the persistent dangers faced by Syrians.
The Refugee Council noted the financial implications of this situation, as the government is currently funding accommodations for over 5,500 Syrians, with a significant number residing in temporary hotel settings. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, emphasized the need to address backlog issues to facilitate timely decisions on asylum claims.
As the narrative unfolds, personal stories of individuals caught in the ongoing uncertainty further illustrate the impact of the paused claims. Azadi, a Kurdish asylum seeker who arrived last June, expressed frustration at his inability to work and contribute to society. Meanwhile, Leen Albrmawi, who has been in the UK since 2019, found her aspirations of higher education dashed due to the lack of certainty regarding her status. "I’ve built my whole life here," she lamented, fearing for her future in the UK amidst concerns over the government's shifting stance on Syrian safety.
Although the aftermath of recent political changes in Syria remains unclear, advocacy groups are pushing for a structured approach to process asylum claims for those facing dangers not solely related to the Assad regime. The Refugee Council anticipates that clarity on the situation in Syria will be slow to materialize, but they stress the need for prioritization of certain claims to alleviate the backlog and anxiety endured by thousands of Syrian nationals.
"Many of them are still calling for democratic change in Syria, which is not guaranteed at the moment," cautioned Haytham Alhamwi, chairman of the Syrian British Consortium, highlighting the complexities of returning home. Although the number of asylum claims dropped sharply following the freeze, some individuals continued to arrive in the UK via small boats, illustrating the persistent dangers faced by Syrians.
The Refugee Council noted the financial implications of this situation, as the government is currently funding accommodations for over 5,500 Syrians, with a significant number residing in temporary hotel settings. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, emphasized the need to address backlog issues to facilitate timely decisions on asylum claims.
As the narrative unfolds, personal stories of individuals caught in the ongoing uncertainty further illustrate the impact of the paused claims. Azadi, a Kurdish asylum seeker who arrived last June, expressed frustration at his inability to work and contribute to society. Meanwhile, Leen Albrmawi, who has been in the UK since 2019, found her aspirations of higher education dashed due to the lack of certainty regarding her status. "I’ve built my whole life here," she lamented, fearing for her future in the UK amidst concerns over the government's shifting stance on Syrian safety.
Although the aftermath of recent political changes in Syria remains unclear, advocacy groups are pushing for a structured approach to process asylum claims for those facing dangers not solely related to the Assad regime. The Refugee Council anticipates that clarity on the situation in Syria will be slow to materialize, but they stress the need for prioritization of certain claims to alleviate the backlog and anxiety endured by thousands of Syrian nationals.
