Germany to enable ‘voluntary, secure’ returns for Syrian refugees

The German government says it wants to enable “secure and dignified returns” for Syrian refugees following the toppling of dictator Bashar Assad on Sunday.  

“Voluntary, secure and dignified returns — which we have always called for — now appear, for the first time in years, to be within the bounds of the possible,” the German Federal Foreign Office said in an eight-point plan for a free and democratic Syria, seen by POLITICO.

“We must work to put in place the conditions for this in the long term — at the humanitarian, political and socio-economic level, and with respect to security,” it added.

Germany’s plan comes days after rebel groups entered the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday and declared it free of the Russia-backed regime of President Assad. Hours later, Assad reportedly fled the country and was granted asylum in Russia.

Following the regime’s ouster, Austria on Monday announced plans to deport Syrian migrants, while Belgium, France, Greece and Germany decided to pause Syrian asylum applications.

In its eight-point plan, Germany says the toppling of the Assad regime “is good news for Syria and for the world,” but also warns of terrorism risks.

The plan suggests the creation of a “Friends of Syria” group between Arab and Western states to minimize harmful influences. “The approach to Iran and Russia remains to be seen,” it says.

It also emphasizes the need for a cease-fire and for a commitment to reaching a “power-sharing agreement that upholds Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” A new civilian government, it argues, should involve “all relevant societal forces and excluding terrorist groups.”