Sharp Increase in Asylum Rejections for Syrian Applicants in October

The number of rejected asylum applications submitted by Syrian nationals in Germany witnessed a significant surge in October, according to figures released by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf). This marked rise follows a period earlier in the year when the majority of decisions regarding Syrian applicants were temporarily suspended, primarily due to political uncertainties in Syria after the change in government.

In October alone, German authorities declined 1,906 first-time asylum requests from Syrians. This figure stands in stark contrast to the cumulative 163 rejections recorded from January to September. The earlier restraint in processing such applications was largely attributed to the evolving situation in Syria following the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad. During this period, most decisions were put on hold, except in cases where procedural requirements necessitated action, such as determining the responsibility of other European countries or processing applications from individuals with criminal backgrounds or those deemed security risks.

The Bamf indicated that in exceptional cases involving applicants classified as security threats or with criminal records, full rejections were issued. Individuals identified as such are considered by security agencies to potentially pose risks of serious offenses, including acts of terrorism.

Recent judicial developments have provided further support for the migration office's approach. Several administrative courts have upheld the decisions to deny asylum to certain groups of Syrian applicants, particularly young, healthy men. The legal rationale is based on the current information about the situation in Syria, which suggests that not every applicant in these categories faces the risk of persecution or harm warranting protection from deportation. Consequently, since late September, the authorities have resumed processing cases for young, able-bodied, single male applicants, with negative decisions possible unless there are substantial individual reasons for granting asylum.

The German government has also signaled its intent to resume deportations to Syria, particularly for those who have committed criminal offenses. The Chancellor and Minister of the Interior have both emphasized the priority of negotiating agreements with Syrian authorities to facilitate the return of such individuals. The government's approach is to initially focus on deporting convicted offenders, with plans to extend this to people without the right to remain in the country once practical arrangements are established.

These developments reflect broader shifts in Germany's asylum policy towards Syrian nationals, driven by both changes in the situation within Syria and evolving domestic considerations on migration and public safety. The Bamf continues to evaluate each case based on up-to-date country reports and existing legal frameworks, emphasizing that protection is provided only when specific, credible grounds of individual persecution or risk are demonstrated by applicants.