December 10th 2024.
In the bustling streets of Damascus, a large crowd proudly waves a Syrian flag, celebrating the end of the Assad regime. The news of Bashar al-Assad's fall from power has sparked reactions across Europe, particularly in regards to Syrian refugee applications. The influx of refugees from Syria after the civil war erupted in 2011 has greatly impacted the continent's politics, making it one of the defining stories of the last decade.
With the recent turn of events in Syria, many of those who fled the violence are now contemplating their return home. As the situation in the country rapidly changes, several governments have announced that they will temporarily halt the processing of refugee applications. For example, in Austria, where a far-right party won the general election three months ago but did not form a government, plans are being made to deport or repatriate individuals who arrived in the country previously.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed that they will also pause refugee applications while the Home Office reviews and monitors the current situation. Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed the House of Commons, stating that the sight of many Syrians considering returning home is a positive sign for their hopes of a better future. However, he also expressed concern that this could potentially lead to an increase in the use of dangerous illegal migration routes to Europe and the UK.
As the countries that have paused refugee applications reassess the situation in Syria, a map shows the extent of this decision across Europe. Germany, which has welcomed the most refugees from Syria compared to other European countries, has also halted decisions for the time being. Similarly, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Greece, and the Netherlands have all suspended their assessments of Syrian refugees, and according to Reuters, France is planning to make a similar decision soon.
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics estimated that in 2019, there were around 48,000 people born in Syria living in the country, although not all arrived as refugees. This number has significantly increased from around 9,200 recorded in the 2011 census. Between 2011 and 2021, almost 31,000 Syrians were granted asylum in the UK, a substantial increase compared to before 2011 when virtually no one from the country sought asylum in the UK.
The situation is similar in Europe, where since the onset of the civil war, more than 14 million Syrians have fled their homes. However, approximately half of them are displaced within their own country, and another 5.5 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. In 2021, the UN refugee agency UNHCR reported that one million Syrian asylum seekers and refugees were hosted in European countries. Germany has taken in the most significant number, around 59 percent, followed by Sweden at 11 percent, while other countries have each welcomed fewer than five percent.
As Europe pauses to reassess the situation in Syria, it remains unclear how many of these refugees will choose to return home and how many will remain in their host countries. The downfall of the Assad regime has sparked hope for a better future for the people of Syria, and it is now up to the governments to closely monitor the situation and make informed decisions regarding the processing of refugee applications.
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