The German interior minister, Nancy Faeser, has reported that some Syrians who have sought safe refuge in Germany, in safe conditions, would possibly have to return to their country after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.
Faeser’s comments adhere to a resolution across Germany just days after teams in Syria, led by Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted the former president who was left with a decade-long clash to suspend the processing of Syrians’ asylum claims.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
“While our law is stipulated, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will read and revoke protective subsidies if other people no longer want this coverage in Germany because the scenario in Syria has stabilized,” Faeser told Funke Media Group, a senior publisher of German newspapers, in a report published on Sunday.
“This will then apply to those who do not have a right of residence for other reasons such as work or training and who do not return to Syria voluntarily,” she added.
However, Faeser under the pressure that “those who are well integrated, employed, learned German and have discovered a new space here, can be allowed to remain in Germany. “
He added that Syrians who wish to return will be supported, while criminals and Islamists will be expelled as temporarily possible.
“We have particularly expanded the legal features for this and will use them as soon as it is allowed in Syria,” Faeser added.
Currently, there are around 975,000 Syrians in Germany, according to the Interior Ministry.
The majority arrived after 2015, fleeing the Syrian civil war. More than 300,000 have been granted subsidiary protection status, meaning authorities recognize they would face serious danger if returned to their homeland.
Despite Faeser’s comments, Germany has yet indicated what position it will take on Syria’s new leadership. So far, he has been cautious, emphasizing the importance of inclusive governance for former rebels.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Damascus on Friday to “discuss the option of such an inclusive political procedure and the option of making certain human rights. “
Nevertheless, Faeser’s comments can also be seen in the context of Germany’s upcoming election, with immigration debates increasingly taking up space in the messaging of mainstream parties to the electorate.
Ess/AB (AFP, Reuters, DPA)