restricting travel for Syrians - Bamf ponders withdrawal of approval for travels
Germany's approach to Syrian refugees has been marked by cautiousness and a focus on protecting human rights, as evidenced by recent policies and trends.
**Removal Policy:**
Following the expiration of a removal ban for Syria in December 2020, the German government declared no possibilities for removals to Syria as of February 2023. Despite no deportations to Syria since 2012, the government announced in December 2024 that it would re-evaluate the situation following significant changes in Syria's political landscape. This decision was influenced by concerns over removing criminals or individuals posing a risk related to terrorist activities.
**Treatment of 'Dangerous Individuals':**
There is no specific policy for withdrawing protection status solely for being considered 'dangerous individuals.' However, the expiration and impossibility of renewing the removal ban suggest that officials are cautious about sending individuals back to Syria, regardless of their status. The emphasis on not deporting individuals to Syria due to the human rights situation suggests that even those considered 'dangerous' are not being returned to Syria.
**General Trends in Refugee Policy:**
Germany has been tightening its migration policies, including stricter border controls and coordinated deportations with neighbouring countries. The recent law suspending family reunification for refugees with subsidiary protection status reflects a broader trend of limiting immigration pathways for certain groups.
**Review Procedures and Protection Status:**
The Federal Ministry of the Interior has instructed the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) to review the withdrawal of protection status for certain Syrian refugees. If a protected person makes a home trip, the Bamf is obliged to review the case individually to determine whether the granted protection should be withdrawn. As of late December 2024, around 975,000 Syrian citizens were living in Germany. In total, 10,064 decisions have been made in review procedures for Syrian nationals this year, with 97 cases resulting in withdrawal.
**Exploratory Trips and Home Returns:**
The new federal government has not implemented the idea of allowing exploratory trips for Syrians to their homeland without affecting their protection status. The number of Syrians who have returned to their homeland after the fall of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad is still relatively low.
In conclusion, while there are no specific policies for withdrawing protection from Syrian refugees deemed 'dangerous individuals,' the overall trend in Germany involves stricter migration controls and a cautious approach to removals due to the dire human rights situation in Syria. The government's focus on evaluating the situation in Syria could lead to future policy adjustments. It is essential to note that the term "dangerous individuals" refers to people suspected of committing serious politically motivated crimes, including terrorist acts.
War-and-conflicts in Syria have influenced Germany's politically driven refugee policies, with a focus on protecting human rights and considering the situation as critical for dangerous individuals. Despite Germany's efforts to tighten migration controls, there is no specific policy to withdraw protection status solely for being considered dangerous individuals.
