UK Resumes Asylum Claims After Months of Suspension0.
The UK resumes Syrian asylum claims after more than seven months of suspension. The pause followed a rebel offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad, ending years of civil war.
Why Did the UK Pause Asylum Claims for Syrians?
In December, the UK government temporarily halted decisions on asylum and permanent settlement for Syrians. The move aimed to allow time to gather reliable information on Syria’s security and political situation. Officials said the pause was needed due to a lack of data for accurate decisions.
Home Office on Why the UK Resumes Asylum Claims
Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Home Office worked quickly to lift the pause. The Home Office has issued updated guidance to help caseworkers assess current conditions in Syria. The rules require case-by-case reviews, and applicants must prove they risk persecution or serious harm if returned.
Voluntary and Potential Enforced Returns
More than 20 Syrian nationals who had been residing in the UK have already returned voluntarily this year. Ministers hope the first enforced returns could take place before the end of the year, with officials suggesting that this possibility is now close.
Impact on Syrian Asylum Seekers in the UK
The pause left more than 7,000 Syrian asylum seekers waiting for a decision. Most of them remain in government-funded accommodation, such as hotels. Campaigners have expressed concerns that the uncertainty made it difficult for people to work, find stable housing, or plan their future. Refugee advocacy groups continue to urge the government to ensure that safety remains the top priority when assessing claims.
Current Situation in Syria and Risk Assessment
HTS affiliates now control Syria, and its leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, became interim president earlier this year. While the security situation has stabilized in some areas, concerns remain about risks to certain ethnic and religious groups.
Who Is Most at Risk?
According to updated Home Office guidance:
- Kurds in areas controlled by the Syrian National Army face a real risk of persecution due to their ethnicity or political views.
- Alawite communities, historically aligned with the former Assad regime, remain vulnerable to violent reprisals. Reports suggest that earlier this year, attacks on Alawite members resulted in hundreds of deaths.
- Other minorities, such as Christians, Druze, and Shia Muslims, are considered less likely to face systematic harm from the current government, although individual cases will still be assessed.
International and Legal Context
The UK’s decision follows similar moves in some European countries. Austria recently became the first EU nation to deport a Syrian national after the fall of Assad. The government stressed that the UK’s approach remains aligned with the UN Refugee Convention, which requires applicants to demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution. UK resumes Syrian asylum claims
