Should Europe Freeze Syrian Asylum Applications? Aid Agencies Say No

Transcript

00:00The fall of President Assad in Damascus prompted a number of European countries to suspend asylum applications for Syrians.

00:07Millions have fled the country since Syria's civil war began in 2011.

00:12Aid agencies warn that changes to asylum policies are premature.

00:16As our correspondent William Denslow reports from Brussels.

00:22The overthrow of Syria's government was met with celebrations in the German capital.

00:26Roughly a million Syrians live in the country, many arriving after the start of the civil war.

00:31On Monday, Germany moved to freeze asylum applications.

00:35Officials say the political landscape in Syria puts asylum decisions on shaky ground.

00:41A decision that impacts over 47,000 people.

00:45Any Syrian or anyone seeking international protection must be able to access asylum procedures

00:51and have their application examined fully and individually on its merits.

00:56More than half a dozen nations in Europe have taken similar steps to Germany,

01:00citing the need to better assess the security situation.

01:04Austria has gone even further.

01:07Not only has it stopped processing asylum applications,

01:11but it's preparing a plan to repatriate and deport Syrian migrants.

01:17The European Commission says the situation in Syria remains fluid

01:21and it's adhering to United Nations guidelines.

01:24For the time being, we maintain in line with the UNHCR

01:29that the conditions are not met for safe, voluntary, dignified returns to Syria.

01:35Roughly 90% of Syria's population lives in poverty.

01:39With much still unknown about the rebel group HTS and the outlook for the country,

01:43aid groups say refugees must be protected.

01:46Now Assad has gone does not mean that Syria is safe for them all to come back.

01:50It's we need to see a real thought through process

01:54and people still offered that protection and support they need,

01:56whether they're in Syria, whether they're, for example, in Lebanon,

01:59or whether they're in a European country.

02:01EU officials say there are promising signs for Syria,

02:04but it's too early to issue a verdict.

02:07Humanitarian groups hope Syrian asylum seekers are afforded the same ability to wait and see.

02:14William Tenslow, CGTN, Brussels.