Following the UK's pause on Syrian asylum applications due to political instability, over 7,000 claims are currently unresolved. Advocates are pushing for a resumption of case-by-case processing, citing the prolonged suffering of individuals caught in bureaucratic limbo.
Urgent Call to Resume Processing of Syrian Asylum Claims as Thousands Await Decisions
Urgent Call to Resume Processing of Syrian Asylum Claims as Thousands Await Decisions
Over 7,000 Syrian asylum seekers in the UK remain in uncertainty, prompting charities and advocates to urge the government to restart assessments of their applications.
The political landscape in Syria remains fraught as the UK government currently suspends processing of asylum applications from Syrian nationals. In December, following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, this pause left over 7,000 individuals in a state of uncertainty regarding their asylum claims. Advocates and charities have challenged the government, calling for the urgent resumption of processing on a case-by-case basis.
“The pause has left many in an indefinite limbo,” stated representatives of the Refugee Council, as thousands await initial decisions. Government officials claim this stoppage is essential to evaluate stabilization within Syria and the risks for returnees. A Home Office representative reiterated that their assessment policy "will remain under constant review" until stable information is available.
Recent figures show that as of the end of March, 7,386 Syrians were pending a decision regarding their asylum application. As the regime’s control has shifted to the Islam extremist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), uncertainty continues to cloud the safety of return for many, complicating the government's stance on asylum requests.
Notably, while the number of Syrian asylum claims plummeted by 81% following the UK's pause, small boat arrivals illustrate ongoing desperation. In just the first three months of this year, 299 Syrians arrived in the UK, making up 5% of all asylum seekers.
Asylum seekers usually do not have the legal ability to work while waiting for decisions. Many rely on government-funded accommodations, which are costly for taxpayers. Reports indicate around 5,500 Syrians were housed in government-provided accommodations by late March. Approximately 2,130 were still in hotels, a situation the government has pledged to eliminate.
The increased burden on public resources has led to concern that the halt on handling claims is creating a bottleneck in the larger asylum system, exacerbating the situation for all claimants.
Refugees themselves, such as 25-year-old Azadi, remain deeply frustrated. He arrived in the UK via a perilous journey across the Channel in mid-2023 and awaits official word on his asylum request. Despite being thankful for shelter and food provisions, he expressed longing for the ability to work and contribute to society.
Moreover, the sweeping changes within the Syrian landscape did little to assuage fears among refugees. New governance agreements, even while officially recognized, have not yielded confidence, especially among Kurdish populations who historically faced systemic discrimination.
Leen Albrmawi, another claimant affected by the decision freeze, shared her plight of educational aspirations dashed by the lack of certainty around her status, lamenting the loss of her ability to pursue university studies due to her ineligibility for support.
Advocates like Jon Featonby from the Refugee Council underscore that the altered situation still presents a complex tapestry of risks that must be navigated carefully. Some call for prioritizing claims based on contemporary threats, as clarity on Syria’s safety remains elusive.
Against this backdrop of unease, further advocacy for the reopening of asylum reviews embodies the collective aim of both humanitarian organizations and the individuals directly impacted by these prolonged decisions.
