Swiss Parliament approves plan to review Syrians’ protection status

The Swiss National Council approved a proposal calling on the federal government to prepare a binding plan for asylum and returns and enforce deportation decisions concerning Syrians, as well as review existing protection decisions, according to parliamentary records and coverage by the Swiss news agency.

The council approved the proposal yesterday without opposition. It was put forward by the parliamentary group of the Liberal-Radical Party (FDP), after the federal government recommended approving it. The proposal still requires approval by the Council of States to complete the legislative process.

The proposal calls for a review of existing asylum decisions, particularly cases in which protection was granted solely on the basis of opposition to the former Syrian government, alongside a renewed assessment of security conditions, basic services and infrastructure in different parts of Syria.

It also calls for clear criteria to determine whether individuals remain eligible for protection and for decisions to be reviewed when circumstances change significantly. It further prioritizes the enforcement of final deportation decisions, particularly concerning serious offenders, as permitted under Swiss law.

At the same time, the proposal gives priority to voluntary returns and calls for a special, time-limited program to assist with return and reintegration, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

The proposal also includes measures to improve procedures for obtaining travel documents and strengthen coordination between the federal government, cantons and international partners. It calls for regular reports to parliament on asylum reviews, the withdrawal of protection, voluntary returns, deportation decisions and pending cases.

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ANHA