Greece Reopens Syrian and Afghan Asylum Cases in Hope of Returns

Greece’s Migration Minister Announces Reopening of Asylum Cases for Syrians and Afghans

Athens, Greece - Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has announced the reopening of asylum cases for Syrians and Afghans who were previously granted refugee status. The move comes after a review of asylum applications, with over 1,200 Syrians having their cases reopened in February.

Bashir, a Syrian Muslim who has lived in Greece since 2014, is among those affected by the policy change. He was granted asylum in 2015 due to the civil war in Syria and had built a life in Greece, including marrying a fellow Syrian and starting a family. However, he recently received a notice from authorities asking him to restate his reasons for coming to Greece and why he should return to Syria.

Bashir’s lawyer, Angeliki Theodoropoulou, stated that only men are currently receiving such notices, and not just from Syria but also from Afghanistan. She noted that the European Union’s stance towards these countries may be a factor in the policy change.

Theodoropoulou also mentioned that the regime of international protection is being tightened for Syrians and Afghans, with asylum being given in very few cases and many rejections. The lawyer expressed concerns about the safety of Syria and Afghanistan, citing renewed clashes between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces, as well as Israel’s sporadic attacks on the country.

Jihad, a Greek citizen who has lived in Greece since 2001 and runs a small clothes shop, is also affected by the policy change. He fears that he would be mistreated in Syria due to his past support for the Assad regime and expressed concerns about being targeted based on his social media activity.

The Greek government’s decision to reopen asylum cases for Syrians and Afghans has sparked controversy, with many questioning the criteria used to determine their eligibility for refugee status. The policy change appears to be part of a broader effort to tighten international protection regulations for these nationalities.

Source: Al Jazeera