The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (Utlendingsdirektoratet, UDI) has stopped deportations of failed asylum seekers to Syria in light of the civil turmoil and violence in the country.
On Wednesday, UDI said they were continuing deportations based on “individual evaluations” of cases, but would monitor the situation closely. Forced returns have now been stopped, and those who have received decisions that entail that they must return voluntarily will be allowed to stay until the circumstances change.
Hanna Jendal, a leader in UDI, told newspaper VG that “the unstable security situation in Syria means that until further notice we will not make decisions that mean that the applicant is forced to return to Syria.”
UDI will continue their ongoing assessment to determine when they can begin returning people to Syria. Their original decision to continue deportations was opposed by the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS) and others. 11 people had been sent back to Syria during March, when the trouble in the country escalated.
Views and News staff
