Ms Mette Frederiksen
Prime Minister
Mr Kaare Dybvad
Minister for Immigration and Integration
Brussels, 13 April 2023
Dear Prime Minister Frederiksen,
Dear Minister for Immigration and Integration Dybvad,
It is with great concern that we have learned that the Danish Immigration Service has recently
added the regions of Latakia and Tartus in Syria to the list of Syrian regions deemed safe for
the return of Syrian refugees.
According to your immigration service, the security situation in the two governorates has
improved, which means that Syrian refugees from these areas could lose their temporary
protection in Denmark. Losing their temporary protection status in Denmark obligates them to
leave their normal residence, stop their work or education and be
de jure
forced to return home.
De facto,
the Syrians from these areas will not be able to be repatriated as Denmark does not
have any agreements with Syria on repatriation, they will be obligated to take residence in
repatriation centres taking them away from their lives in and contributions to Danish society
based on a decision, which can never be implemented.
Two years ago, cross-party MEPs wrote to you raising this issue and it is clear that these new
developments are not in the right direction.
Indeed, this decision does not take into account the numerous NGO reports documenting the
horrific situation Syrian refugees face upon their return to Syria, namely: serious human rights
violations, persecution at the hands of the Syrian government and affiliated militias, torture,
extrajudicial killings, kidnappings and bribery.
On 7 February 2023, the UN Human Rights Council's International Independent Commission
of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic presented its findings covering the year 2022, according
to which "conditions
are not currently in place to ensure voluntary, safe, dignified and
sustainable returns, given the continuing violations in the country".
This decision also sends the wrong signal at a time when the Assad regime blatantly continues
to violate human rights and humanitarian law throughout the country.
Furthermore, while there is no notable progress on a credible political process, this decision
undermines the unity of the European Union in advocating a lasting solution to the Syrian
conflict through a genuine and inclusive political transition, in accordance with UN Security
Council Resolution 2254.