UK pauses asylum decisions for Syrians

It took the UK government four years after Syria's civil war erupted in 2011 to create safe routes to help thousands of people reach safety. But just 48 hours after Assad’s fall, British and European leaders had already paused asylum applications and were discussing sending people back.

This blanket decision is not only premature, it also ignores the deeply individual nature of asylum claims. Now, many who have been waiting months for a decision – unable to move forward with their lives – will be stuck in legal limbo for even longer.

While Syrian communities are rightly celebrating and some have begun to reunite with loved ones or find their homes after years of separation, the road to safety and stability is far from over. Syrians have the right to choose to return home on their own terms – not be rushed into decisions before it’s safe to do so.

Violence doesn’t vanish overnight. With hundreds of airstrikes reported in Syria and ongoing instability, no government can yet guarantee that Syrians won’t still need protection.

We’ve worked for years with young people fleeing the horrors of the fallen regime and the violence of war. Some still fear for their safety for reasons beyond this, and are uncertain about their future. They shouldn’t also have to fear losing their chance to find safety and family in the UK.