Austria is reviewing the status of Syrian refugees who arrived in the country less than five years ago, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Thursday, after press reports that some of those affected had received letters saying they “did not they no longer need to fear political persecution.”
Nehammer, a conservative seeking to form a coalition government while facing criticism from the far right, seized on the fall of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, saying the same day that the security situation in Syria should be reanalyzed to allow deportations.
He and his interim government have since made clear that the initial focus will be on voluntary deportations. Anyone who wishes to return on their own initiative will receive 1,000 euros. Austria is also one of more than ten European countries that have suspended processing asylum applications from Syrians.
“Austria is reviewing the eligibility for protection of Syrians who have been in the country for less than five years,” Nehammer said on Platform
Austrian law allows authorities to revoke refugee status in some cases within five years of its granting. Syrians make up the largest group of asylum seekers in the country.
Nehammer’s Austrian People’s Party (OVP) has hardened its anti-immigrant tone, to the point that the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) has accused the party of stealing its ideas.
Critical of the European Union and complementary to Russia, the FPO won the September 29 parliamentary elections, with around 29% of the vote, and needs a coalition partner to reach a majority and form a government.
The UN refugee agency said it was “clearly premature” to start such deportation proceedings.
Source: Terra
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