Berlin: The German government is determined to reach a deal with Damascus to accelerate the repatriation of Syrian war refugees, despite concerns about the humanitarian situation in a country where violence continues and the economy and infrastructure have been devastated.
According to Deutsche Welle, in late September, Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the Rheinische Post newspaper that he intended to "reach an agreement with Syria this year and then initially deport criminals and later people without residence permits." However, the feasibility of such a plan is under scrutiny due to both legal and humanitarian concerns. Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, director of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) in Syria, highlighted the country's strained capacity to accommodate returning refugees, warning that sending more Syrians back could exacerbate the ongoing crisis.
Alaows, speaking to DW, described dire living conditions in Damascus, where families are forced to share overcrowded apartments due to unaffordable rents. With 16.7 million Syrians reliant on humanitarian aid, the infrastructure and food distribution networks are in desperate need of reconstruction. The volatile security situation, characterized by widespread circulation of small arms and violence against minorities, further complicates the scenario.
In a statement to DW, the German government confirmed ongoing contact with Syria's new government, led by former rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Interior Ministry emphasized the necessity of repatriating individuals who commit criminal offenses in Germany and lack residency rights. However, even if a repatriation deal is negotiated, the practicalities of deportations remain complex. Valentin Feneberg from Leuphana University noted that each deportation case must be individually assessed, considering the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Legal protections in Germany prevent deportation if individuals face risks of torture or human rights abuses in their home countries. Professor Daniel Thym of the University of Konstanz pointed out that while fewer Syrians may be granted protected status now that the war has ended, prioritizing deportations of individuals with criminal records is a political decision rather than a legal one.
The plan to increase deportations has faced criticism on moral and economic grounds. Left Party leader Jan van Aken argued that deporting people to Syria disregards both the dire situation in Syria and Germany's own needs. With Germany's aging population, the labor market benefits from the 236,000 Syrian citizens currently employed and contributing to social insurance.
According to the Federal Employment Agency, over 225,000 people of various nationalities in Germany are legally obliged to leave the country. Among them, about 40,000 are students, employees, or tourists who have overstayed their visas. Most others hold "Duldung" or "tolerated" status, meaning they are not deported due to lack of identification documents, unestablished identity, or untreated medical conditions. Legal provisions in Germany and Europe allow for protection if the humanitarian situation is deemed life-threatening, a factor that could significantly influence decisions on Syrian deportations.