The Swedish Migration Agency pauses asylum decisions and deportations to Syria

Published 9 December 2024 at 17.04

Domestic. Due to the development of events in Syria, the Swedish Migration Agency is now deciding to pause decision-making in Syrian asylum cases. Enforcement to Syria is also to be paused for the time being.
– Given the situation, it is simply not possible to assess the reasons for protection right now, says head of justice Carl Bexelius.

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TwittraShare< p>Sweden is not alone in making such a decision. Earlier on Monday, the Danish and German migration authorities announced the same thing, and more countries are believed to follow suit.

The Swedish Migration Agency can decide on decision-making and enforcement suspensions when the security situation in a country changes rapidly and when there is not enough information about the situation in a country. The freeze is only imposed for limited periods of time and during the time that the authority works to obtain current information about the political and security situation in the country in question.

During the freeze, no rejection or deportation orders will be enforced or decisions on residence permit to be obtained.

– As far as Syria is concerned, the situation is fragile and recent events raise several legal questions that require a thorough analysis. A similar decision was also made in connection with the Taliban's takeover of power in Afghanistan in 2021, says Carl Bexelius in a statement.

The Swedish Migration Agency states that the formal decision will be made on Tuesday, and that the authority will then be able to develop the background to the decision.