Denmark: Refugees at risk of return to Syria
At least 380 refugees in Denmark, including children, have been told by the Danish Immigration Service that they must return to Syria and had their temporary protection status and residence permits revoked. This is because Denmark has deemed Damascus and the surrounding areas safe for return.
Many of the refugees are still waiting for their case to be finally decided on appeal. Amnesty International understands that 39 people have already received a final decision on their case and are at risk of being deported as soon as Denmark re-establishes diplomatic ties with the Syrian regime.
Amnesty International is concerned that those returning to Syria could face torture, enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention. Research has found civilians returned to government-controlled areas, including Damascus, are requested to go through a ‘security clearance’ involving interrogation by Syrian security forces, whom Amnesty International consider responsible for widespread and systematic human rights violations.
Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Nils Muižnieks said:
Forcing these refugees, some of them children, back to Syria, even indirectly, would put them at real risk of torture and other serious abuses.
Take Action
Please write to the Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration calling for the ongoing protection of Syrian refugees in Denmark.
View the full action details at Amnesty.org