The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) will temporarily suspend decisions on asylum applications from Syrians for the next six months. Minister Faber of Asylum and Migration announced the decision in response to recent events in Syria and the fall of President Assad's regime.
This suspension follows similar actions by other European countries. Due to the current circumstances, it is challenging to determine whether Syria is safe for return. As a result, many Syrian asylum seekers in the Netherlands will not receive a decision on their applications in the immediate future. However, no one will be forced to return to Syria during this period.
Government parties VVD and BBB had advocated for a pause in decisions on Syrian asylum requests. Meanwhile, the PVV party called for a complete asylum stop and the return of Syrians to their homeland. The NSC party deemed the suspension understandable due to the uncertainties in Syria, emphasizing concerns for vulnerable minorities.
In October 2023, over half of the asylum seekers and their families arriving in the Netherlands were of Syrian nationality.
Source: NOS Nieuws, November 19, 2023