The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has formally appealed to the German government to permit exploratory visits for Syrian refugees in Germany who are considering returning to their homeland. Currently, undertaking such trips risks jeopardizing their protected status.
Katharina Thote, head of UNHCR in Germany, stated to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that enabling these visits would provide refugees with the opportunity to make informed decisions regarding voluntary repatriation. She described the potential policy change as a “pragmatic signal” from the government.
According to Thote, “Go and See Visits” brief, self-organized trips to Syria, are crucial for refugees contemplating a return. These visits allow individuals to assess fundamental aspects of life in Syria, including employment prospects, the availability of education for children, the condition of their homes and the prevailing security situation. “These are existential questions and without answers, a family – especially – wouldn’t make a decision with such far-reaching consequences” she added. Exploratory visits, she emphasized, can help facilitate returns that are both dignified and secure, while bolstering trust in repatriation programs.
UNHCR stresses that any such trips should be undertaken voluntarily, be of limited duration and pose no risk to the individual’s protected status. A short visit shouldn’t be considered evidence that the need for protection has ceased, but can contribute to ensuring a sustainable and long-term return.
The German Foreign Office continues to issue warnings against travel to Syria. Existing German regulations, as detailed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), presume that any travel to Syria by Syrian refugees automatically suggests that the conditions justifying their protection status no longer exist. The organization Pro Asyl has cautioned that travel to Syria typically results in the revocation of protected status by the BAMF. Notably, other nations such as France and Turkey allow Syrian refugees to undertake exploratory visits under certain circumstances without jeopardizing their refugee status.
