Clarification Regarding the Suspension of Asylum Decisions for Syrians in Germany
December 10, 2024, 1:28 pm

Clarification Regarding the Suspension of Asylum Decisions for Syrians in Germany

ثلثا السوريين في ألمانيا يعتمدون على إعانات البطالة

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in the Federal Republic of Germany, known as BAMF, has announced the suspension of decisions on asylum applications submitted by Syrians that have not yet been concluded (approximately 47,000 applications).

I would like to clarify the following points:

- The suspension of decisions does not mean rejection or deportation (there is no deportation order).
- The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees is part of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The Federal Ministry of the Interior cannot issue any deportation decisions to Syria without an assessment of the situation by the German Foreign Office (thus far, the German Foreign Office considers Syria an unsafe country).
- All family reunification applications for Syrians are ongoing, and there is no decision to halt them (and there will be none).
- All naturalization applications are ongoing, and there is no decision to stop them (and there will be none).
- The right to political asylum in Germany is an individual right enshrined in the German Constitution according to Article 16, and it can only be revoked through an amendment to the German Constitution (which is unlikely).
- Granting refugee status according to the Geneva Refugee Convention is protected, stipulating: Refugees must be protected according to the Geneva Refugee Convention (Article 3 of the Asylum Act) based on the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention. Individuals who have a reasonable fear of persecution due to their race, nationality, political opinion, religion, or membership in a particular social group must be protected. (Revoking this is unlikely).
- The right to subsidiary protection (temporary residence): According to Directive 2011/95/EU (Qualification Directive), individuals who are eligible for subsidiary protection are those who, although not holding refugee status as defined in the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention, would practically be in a refugee situation due to the risk of facing serious harm if they return to their home country. Serious harm, as intended in Article 15 of the Qualification Directive, includes:
- The imposition of the death penalty or its execution.
- Torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Serious individual threat to life or safety of a civilian due to indiscriminate violence in the context of an international or internal armed conflict.

### General Advice:
- All refugees (regardless of their type of residency) and even those whose applications have not yet been decided or who have had their applications suspended should learn the German language.
- Enter the labor market.
- Commit to and respect the laws of the country.

Maksim Al-Issa - Journalist based in Berlin

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.