Federal Chancellor backs asylum authority's initiative
Nearly two weeks after the fall of Syria's Bashar Assad regime, Austria's Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA) has for the first time sent letters to Syrians living in the country initiating an asylum recognition procedure, the Austrian magazine Profil reported Thursday.
The report said the letters were sent to Syrians who have been residing in Austria for less than five years. Recipients are now required to justify their continued need for protection under the changed political circumstances during a newly scheduled interview.
The letters reportedly assert that due to the end of Assad's rule, they “no longer have to fear political persecution.”
At the upcoming appointment, the letters explain, “those affected can now name and present further grounds for asylum.”
They further advise recipients to demonstrate “that they can support themselves, have children at school, and are well integrated,” according to Profil.
Austrian asylum law allows for the withdrawal of protection status within five years if the reasons for asylum are fundamentally altered and no other valid grounds remain.
Around 40,000 Syrians in Austria fall into the affected group, according to the report.
The BFA said that “as soon as a well-founded basis for a decision is available, the decision in these cases is made immediately,” as quoted by Profil.
Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer had directed Interior Minister Gerhard Karner earlier this month to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and reevaluate existing asylum grants.
Speaking at a European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday, Nehammer defended the actions of Austrian authorities.
“First of all, the main reason for fleeing was the Assad regime and the terror of the Assad regime. This reason for fleeing is no longer given. Asylum was granted on a temporary basis. That was clear to everyone,” he said.
“Now the authorities are doing what is provided for in the law: when the main reason for flight ends, a review procedure begins, which is also provided for in the law,” he added.
Nehammer also said that Austria's approach has been coordinated with its European Union partners.
“Austria also offers all those who wish to return voluntarily a return grant of up to 1,000 euros ($1,036) to enable people to return to their home country,” he noted.
Despite the review process, BFA Director Gernot Maier highlighted that return decisions to Syria are currently not feasible due to the “very volatile situation.”
On Dec. 9, the Austrian Federal Administrative Court, which serves as the second instance for asylum cases, also deemed the situation in Syria to be “very unstable.”
