Ministers are facing calls to start processing Syrian asylum applications again, as new figures showed more than 7,000 people are still in limbo. The UK paused decisions on Syrian claims for asylum and permanent settlement in December, after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. But more than five months on, Syrians in the UK still do not know when their claims will be assessed. Charities including the Refugee Council say the current situation has left people in an "indefinite limbo" and are calling for claims to be processed again on a case-by-case basis. The government said decisions were paused "while we assess the current situation". A Home Office source said this was "a necessary step while there is no stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk" on people returning to Syria and the policy "will remain under constant review". A total of 7,386 Syrians were waiting for an initial decision on an asylum claim by the end of March,according to the latest figures published on Thursday. Assad's regime was overthrown by a rebel offensive led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December, after years of civil war. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa was named as Syria's interim president earlier this year, but the situation remains uncertain and HTS is still designated a terrorist group by the UK. In December, the Conservatives suggested most Syrian asylum claims were related to the threat posed by Assad's government and those people could return when it was safe to do so. However, Haytham Alhamwi, chairman of the Syrian British Consortium, said while many Syrians left because of Assad's rule others may still feel unsafe to return. "Many of them are still calling for democratic change in Syria, which is not guaranteed at the moment. Some of them were afraid of those military groups, they didn't come running from Assad himself," he told the BBC. The number of Syrian asylum claims fell by 81%following the UK's decision to pause decisions. However, despite a sharp drop, 299 Syrians came to the UK on small boats in the first three months of this year - 5% of the total number of arrivals. People claiming asylum do not normally have the right to work while their case is being considered and are provided with government-funded accommodation and financial support to pay for essentials if they would otherwise be destitute. Jon Featonby, chief policy analyst at the Refugee Council, said that as well as leaving Syrians "stuck in limbo" this also had an impact on the taxpayeras the government is paying to house many of them. More than 5,500 Syrians were living in government-funded accommodation at the end of March. Of these, 2,130 were in hotels, which the government has pledged to stop using for asylum seekers. With Labour promising to clear the overall backlog of asylum claims, Mr Featonby said the situation was causing a "blockage" in the system. Azadi - not his real name - arrived in the UK by small boatin June 2023 and is waiting for a decision on his asylum application. The 25-year-old, who is Kurdish, said he was grateful to the UK government for providing him with food and accommodation but he wanted to be able to work and pay tax. "I stay at home a lot of the time," he told the BBC. "Every day is the same. I am not progressing so it is stressful." Earlier this year,the new Syrian government signed a deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)which integrated its military and civilian institutions into the state and recognised the Kurdish minority. But Azadi said he did not trust the new government and felt Syria was not safe for Kurds, who were denied basic rights during Assad's rule. He said his hometown had been destroyed by the civil war and there was no way for him to get an education there. "It's not a life there at all," he added. The pause also applies to Syrians who have already been granted refugee status and were initially given the right to stay in the UK for five years before they can apply for permanent settlement - also known as indefinite leave to remain. The Refugee Council says that whilst this group still have the right to live and work in the UK, their temporary status can often make it harder to secure a job or housing. Mr Featonby said Syrians in the UK were also nervous about whether they will be allowed to stay if the government's position on Syria changes and it is deemed a safe country. Leen Albrmawi arrived in the UK in October 2019 and applied for indefinite leave to remain last year. However, she said her "whole life collapsed" when the government paused decisions for Syrians in December. The 28-year-old had been accepted to study business at university but was told she was not eligible for a student loan because she did not have the right to live in the UK permanently. After spending the last five years obtaining the necessary qualifications to apply, Leen was devastated she could not afford to take up the offer. Meanwhile, her employer, a telecoms company, has been chasing her for an update on her leave to remain application. Leen still has the right to work while her application is pending but is concerned she could lose her job. She also fears that if the Home Office changes its position on Syria she could be forced to leave the UK. "I literally have no one in Syria, no family, nothing," she told the BBC, adding that her hometown had been destroyed in the civil war. Leen lives in Salford with her mother and sister,who already have British citizenship as they came to the UK earlier than her. "I've been in the UK now nearly six years, so I've built my whole life here," she said. Mr Featonby said the Refugee Council recognised the situation in Syria had changed but there was unlikely to be clarity on how safe the country would be in the future anytime soon. He suggested people who were seeking protection for reasons unrelated to the previous regime could have their claims prioritised. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletterto keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.
Call for freeze on Syrian asylum claims to end
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Calls Intensify for Resumption of Syrian Asylum Applications Amid Processing Delays"
Bbc News
8.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Ministers in the UK are under pressure to resume processing Syrian asylum applications, as recent statistics reveal that over 7,000 individuals are currently in a state of uncertainty regarding their claims. Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December, the UK government suspended decisions on Syrian asylum claims and permanent residency, citing the need to evaluate the evolving situation in Syria before making informed decisions. This pause has left many Syrians in the UK feeling trapped in an indefinite limbo, according to various charities, including the Refugee Council. They advocate for a case-by-case review of claims, emphasizing the urgent need to address the plight of those awaiting decisions. The Home Office has indicated that the suspension remains in place due to the lack of stable and objective information necessary for assessing the risks associated with returning to Syria, and they have committed to continually reviewing this policy. As of the end of March, 7,386 Syrians were waiting for an initial decision on their asylum claims, highlighting the significant backlog resulting from the pause in processing.
The implications of this situation are extensive, not only for the asylum seekers but also for the UK taxpayer, as many of those affected are housed in government-funded accommodations. Reports indicate that over 5,500 Syrians were living in such accommodations by the end of March, with a significant number placed in hotels, a practice the government aims to cease. This backlog is contributing to a broader blockage in the asylum system, as Labour has promised to address the overall backlog of claims. Individuals like Azadi, a Kurdish asylum seeker who arrived in the UK in June 2023, express frustration at being unable to work while their applications are pending, which adds to their stress and uncertainty. Others, such as Leen Albrmawi, who has been in the UK since 2019 and is awaiting indefinite leave to remain, have faced setbacks in their personal and professional lives due to the pause in processing. The Refugee Council acknowledges the changing dynamics in Syria but suggests prioritizing claims from those seeking protection for reasons unrelated to the previous regime, as clarity on the safety of returning to Syria remains elusive.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the ongoing debate regarding the processing of Syrian asylum claims in the UK, particularly in light of the recent political changes in Syria. It illustrates the complexities of the asylum system and the emotional and legal limbo faced by thousands of Syrian individuals waiting for their claims to be assessed.
Government Stance and Public Pressure
The UK government's current position is to pause decisions on Syrian asylum claims until a stable assessment of the situation in Syria can be made. This stance reflects a cautious approach based on the need for reliable information regarding the safety of individuals returning to Syria. However, the article mentions that over 7,000 Syrians are still awaiting decisions, leading to frustration among charities and advocacy groups who argue this has created an "indefinite limbo." The pressure for the government to resume processing these claims indicates a growing concern about the humanitarian implications of prolonged waits for asylum seekers.
Impact of Political Changes in Syria
The article points out that the fall of Bashar al-Assad has not led to a clear improvement in safety for many Syrians. The emergence of groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) complicates the situation further, as their designation as a terrorist group by the UK raises questions about the safety of returning individuals. This complexity is crucial, as it demonstrates that the reasons for seeking asylum are multifaceted and cannot be simplified to just the regime's actions.
Public Perception and Advocacy
There is a clear divide in public perception regarding the return of Syrian refugees. While some may believe that the political changes signal a return to safety, others, like Haytham Alhamwi, emphasize the ongoing threats posed by various armed groups, not just the Assad regime. This underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the current situation in Syria and its implications for asylum seekers.
Potential Consequences
The article suggests that if the UK government does not resume processing claims, it could lead to increased anxiety and uncertainty among the waiting asylum seekers. This could potentially foster negative public sentiment towards the government and raise questions about its commitment to human rights and humanitarian principles. Additionally, the drop in asylum claims by 81% following the pause might reflect not just fear of the asylum process but a broader concern about the UK's stance on refugees.
Trustworthiness and Analysis
The information presented in the article appears to be backed by credible sources, including government statements and quotes from advocacy groups. The framing of the article seeks to elicit empathy for the plight of Syrian asylum seekers while also critiquing the government’s inaction. It is not overtly manipulative but does emphasize certain perspectives, such as the indefinite limbo and the complexities of the situation in Syria, which can influence public opinion.
Overall, the article is a reliable source of information that highlights the humanitarian issues surrounding Syrian asylum claims in the UK, while also reflecting the complexities of international politics and local governance.