Syrian refugees and the fall of Assad

Very quickly following the fall of President Bashar Al-Assad, governments of the UK and several other European countries announced suspension of their decision-making process for the asylum claims of Syrians.

Amnesty opposes these suspensions and has quickly put its opposition in the public domain.

This briefing specifically concerns the UK government's suspension, though it may be relevant to others' suspensions. In short, it explains why this suspension is wrong; and moreover why the UK government should instead be taking swift action to guarantee the safety of Syrians in the UK and encouraging others to do likewise.

That is required to meet individual human rights obligations and to best support the prospects for all Syrian people that their country may secure a transition to justice, accountability, peace and good governance.