MEZIESBLOG

The UK joined several European countries in putting a hold on decisions for Syrian asylum applications on Monday.

In recent months, the number of Syrians seeking refuge in the UK has risen sharply – as we reported here earlier.

After the rapid fall of the Assad regime over the weekend, the Home Office said the move was made “whilst we assess the current situation”.

It remains to be seen how stable a new government will be or what the humanitarian situation will look like in a year’s time, while one Syrian asylum seeker has already told us he is afraid to return.

Here’s a look at what governments around the continent have decided so far.

Austria

The country’s caretaker government has ordered a stop to processing any asylum applications made by Syrians – with interior minister Gerhard Karner telling the ministry to prepare “orderly repatriation and deportation” to Syria.

Belgium

The chief of Refugees and Stateless Persons said on Monday it would suspend processing cases until it has enough information to assess the security situation in Syria.

Croatia

Asylum applications have been suspended in Croatia as well.

Czech Republic

Decisions have been halted since Monday.

Denmark

While processing has been paused, Syrians whose applications have already been rejected and who had been given a deadline to leave can remain longer due to the uncertainty.

Finland

The Finnish migration authority has 350 asylum applications from Syrian nationals – these have all been paused.

France

The country is working on a suspension of current cases, with a decision expected soon.

Germany

All Syrian applications are on hold until further notice.

Greece

Greece has paused asylum applications for about 9,000 Syrians, with a meeting planned for Friday to finalise the move, according to a senior official cited by Reuters news agency.

Ireland

Final decisions have been temporarily paused while the situation in Syria is kept under review.

Italy

All applications from Syria have been paused.

Netherlands

The Netherlands will for six months withhold decisions on applications received less than 21 months ago.

Norway

Syrian asylum applications will neither be denied nor approved for now.

Poland

Poland will not issue any decisions until the situation in Syria is clarified.

Sweden

Sweden has also paused decisions as it is not possible to assess the need for protection right now.

Switzerland

Applications in Switzerland have been paused for Syrians until an assessment can be made.