Two weeks after the fall of the Assad regime, the first Syrians in Austria received letters from the Federal Office for Asylum and Immigration, initiating a procedure to revoke their asylum. The letters were sent to Syrians who have lived in Austria for less than five years. When questioned again by the authorities, they must now explain why they consider themselves worthy of protection despite the changed circumstances.
With the fall of the Syrian regime, they “no longer have to fear political persecution,” the letter said. When appointed, those affected can now provide further reasons for asylum and show that they can provide for themselves, can have children in school and are well integrated, reports ‘Profil’.
The protection status can be revoked
If the reasons for asylum change fundamentally and there are no other reasons, protection status can usually be withdrawn within five years. Currently, approximately 40,000 people fall into this group.
BFA wants to take immediate action
“As soon as a well-founded basis for the decision is available, the decision in these cases will be taken immediately,” the Federal Office for Asylum and Immigration (BFA) is quoted in the report. In early December, Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP) to suspend all pending Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants.
However, BFA director Gernot Maier made it clear shortly afterwards that it was not currently possible to make decisions to return to Syria due to the “very unstable situation”. The Federal Administrative Court, the second body that decides on asylum procedures, also recently assessed the situation as “very unstable”.
UNHCR urges restraint
Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called for restraint in a broadcast on Thursday. From his point of view, the withdrawal procedures are premature, as 90 percent of the population in Syria is dependent on humanitarian aid, there is a lack of water, food and health care, infrastructure has been destroyed and the security situation is difficult.
At the same time, the current approach leads to great uncertainty among Syrian refugees; the UNHCR fears that the current approach will have negative effects on integration and coexistence. States should instead provide support in Syria to ensure appropriate conditions for a return to security in the near future, the international organization called for.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
