German Interior Minister Nancy Feser has suggested that some Syrians seeking asylum in Germany could be returned to their country under certain conditions, following the fall of President Bashar Assad.
Feser’s comments follow Germany’s decision just days after rebel groups led by Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria overthrew the former president following a decade-long conflict that has seen Syrians The processing of asylum applications has been put on hold. ,
What did the German Interior Minister say about Syrian refugees?
“As stated in our legislation, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will review and cancel protection grants if people no longer need this protection in Germany because the situation in Syria has stabilized, ” Feser told Funke Media Group, a major publisher. In a report published in German newspapers on Sunday.
“This will apply to those who do not have the right of residence for other reasons such as work or training and who do not voluntarily return to Syria,” Feser said.
However, Feser stressed that “people who are well integrated, employed, who have learned German and have found a new home here should be allowed to live in Germany.”
He said Syrians who want to return should be supported while criminals and Islamists should be deported as soon as possible.
“We have greatly expanded the legal options for this and will use them as soon as the situation in Syria becomes favorable,” Feser said.
Germany is home to almost 1 million Syrians
According to the Interior Ministry, approximately 975,000 Syrians are currently living in Germany.
The majority arrived after 2015, fleeing the Syrian civil war. More than 300,000 people have been granted subsidiary protection status, meaning authorities believe they would face serious danger if returned to their homeland.
Despite Feser’s comments, Germany has not yet indicated what stance it will take on Syria’s new leadership. So far it has proceeded with caution and has stressed the importance of inclusive governance for former rebels.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock traveled to Damascus “to discuss whether such an inclusive political process is possible and whether human rights can really be guaranteed.”
Nevertheless, Feser’s comments can also be seen in the context of Germany’s upcoming election, in which immigration debates are increasingly taking up space in mainstream parties’ messaging to voters.
ESS/AB (AFP, Reuters, dpa)
