Damascus denies deporting 700,000 Syrians from Germany and outlines talks with Berlin

Nahla Othman, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ Department of Expatriate and Refugee Affairs, said in a statement to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the claim followed a meeting she held with officials from the German Interior Ministry in Berlin. She explained that the Syrian side discussed the situation of Syrians residing in Germany, particularly issues related to residence permits, integration and protection.

Othman said Damascus is coordinating and holding talks with the German government and relevant authorities to explore the possibility of changing residence permit types to suit the circumstances of people who have settled and integrated into German society. She added that opportunities could also be provided to reconsider the cases of people whose applications had been rejected, in accordance with German laws and procedures.

Othman stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue monitoring the situation of Syrians in Germany and other host countries and working with international bodies and host countries to ensure their rights and dignity.

The statement comes amid growing debate in Germany over a review of the protection status granted to Syrians. On September 21, the German Interior Ministry said protection status would remain as long as the grounds for protection continued to exist, but noted that the continued need for protection would be reviewed as the situation in Syria improves. It stressed that each case would be examined individually and that returns could only involve people who are legally required to leave.

German reports had said Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt was seeking to expand reviews of Syrians’ protection status, with proposals to initially focus on young unmarried men who receive benefits and are not employed. At the same time, workers, including doctors and nurses, could potentially switch to work-based residence permits if they meet the legal requirements. Proposals have also been made to strengthen voluntary return programs and increase financial incentives for them.

The figure of 700,000 is used in the German debate to refer to a large number of Syrians classified as people seeking protection in Germany, rather than as an official figure for people who have been ordered to be deported.

The German government had previously confirmed that it does not set a target number for returns and that the situation of Syrians is handled according to each person’s legal status.

On September 25, Nahla Othman and Syria’s chargé d’affaires in Berlin, Mohammed Baraa Shukri, discussed the situation of Syrians with officials from the German Interior Ministry. According to SANA, the German side stressed that the review or withdrawal of protection does not target Syrians collectively and that any return should be voluntary and dignified and coordinated between the two sides.

Sh-S

ANHA