Arabic version: اليونان تعيد فتح قضايا اللجوء للسوريين والأفغان، مما يثير المخاوف

Greece has reopened asylum cases for approximately 1,200 Syrians and Afghan nationals, raising concerns among migrants about potential returns to their home countries. This decision follows the end of the civil war in Syria in December 2024 and the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. Many asylum seekers, like Bashir, a Syrian Muslim who has lived in Greece since 2014, are apprehensive about the implications of this policy. According to Al Jazeera, Bashir expressed his distress over being asked to justify his reasons for staying in Greece, highlighting the uncertainty facing him and his family.

Legal representatives for the affected individuals contend that the reopening of asylum cases appears to be influenced by the European Union’s stance on migration and the recent trend of voluntary returns. Angeliki Theodoropoulou, a lawyer, noted that many of the individuals receiving notices are men from Syria and Afghanistan, and emphasized that both countries remain unsafe for returnees despite the wars being declared over. The situation is compounded by ongoing conflicts and political instability in Syria, as well as fears of persecution based on past affiliations in both nations.

In February, Greece’s Migration Minister Thanos Plevris announced the decision to review asylum cases, which has raised alarm among many residing in Greece. The government’s strict migration policies have already led to the revocation of almost 200 asylum cases in the previous year. Observers point to a pattern of targeting primarily Muslim asylum seekers, as the government has expressed a preference for non-Muslim migrant workers, indicating a potential religious bias in their policies.

The current political climate in Greece is reflective of broader trends in Europe regarding migration management. As the EU prepares to implement a new Asylum and Migration Pact, Greece’s hardline stance on asylum seekers and returns is likely to continue. The government is concerned about future influxes of refugees, given the instability in the Middle East and North Africa, and is implementing measures to manage and restrict asylum applications more stringently.