The Letzebuerger Flüchtlingsrot (Collectifs Réfugiés Luxembourg – LFR) or Refugee Collective Luxembourg, has urged the Luxembourg government to approach the recent collapse of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria with caution.
While the fall of the regime on 8 December 2024 marks a potential turning point for the Syrian people after decades of brutality, repression and suffering, the collective warns that this moment of hope must be tempered with careful consideration.
The Luxembourg government decided to temporarily suspend the examination of asylum applications from Syrian nationals, at the time, which is understandable in light of the need to assess the new situation, LFR noted. The atrocities committed by the Assad regime were the primary basis for granting international protection to Syrians. However, the Refugee Collective emphasised that these were not the only reasons. Many Syrians have also been granted subsidiary protection due to the pervasive violence that has afflicted the civilian population, a threat that persists even after the regime’s collapse.
In light of this, the Refugee Collective is calling for all applications for international protection to be maintained and subjected to individual examination, as required by international standards. They stressed that any suspension of asylum processing must remain temporary and should not result in undue hardship for applicants.
The collective expressed concerns, particularly about the impact of the suspension on the rights and well-being of Syrian asylum seekers in Luxembourg. They called on the government to ensure that all Syrian applicants for international protection (AIPs) are treated equitably, with their procedures progressing under the same conditions as those for applicants of other nationalities. Additionally, they urge that reception conditions for Syrian AIPs, as outlined by Luxembourgish law, be fully upheld.
The duration of the suspension is another pressing concern for the collective, as many Syrians continue to flee instability and violence in their homeland. The situation in Syria remains deeply uncertain, with a lack of reliable information about security conditions and the control of various regions by armed groups. Many Syrian applicants in Luxembourg have already faced significant delays in their asylum procedures, with some waiting over a year for interviews or decisions, the LFR added. The Refugee Collective called on the government to remain especially attentive to these groups, ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected and supported throughout this process, particularly unaccompanied minors and families with children.
Given the ongoing instability and the absence of trustworthy information on Syria’s security and human rights conditions, the collective urged the Luxembourg government to refrain from issuing negative decisions on asylum applications from Syrian nationals or stateless individuals. They also strongly advised against any forced returns until the situation has fully stabilised and reliable reports on the conditions in Syria are available. In this fragile and uncertain context, the Refugee Collective underscored the importance of “restraint and caution” in the government’s approach. They stressed the need to protect the rights and dignity of Syrian asylum seekers during this critical period, ensuring that no vulnerable individual is left to bear the burden of the evolving political landscape in their home country.
