A consortium of lawyers and activists are preparing to take the Danish government to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over its policy decision to deport Syrian refugees based on a report that deems Damascus safe. The policy could affect around 1,200 people from Damascus who are currently living in Denmark.
“Denmark’s attempt to return hundreds of Syrians to Damascus after deeming the city safe will set a dangerous precedent for other countries to do the same,” said the lawyers.
Danish authorities began rejecting temporary residency applications of Syrian refugees last summer after a report found significant improvement in the security situation in some parts of Syria.
On the contrary, Guernica 37, a London based International Justice Chambers, said, “The situation in Denmark is deeply concerning. While the risk of direct conflict-related violence may have diminished in some parts of Syria, the risk of political violence remains as great as ever, and regime security forces are targeting refugees returning from Europe.”
Guernica 37 has been extending affordable and pro bono assistance in transnational justice and human rights cases to families affected in Denmark. It is also one of the organisations that are mounting a challenge to Denmark’s deportation policy, as per the Non-Refoulement Obligations listed under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) 1951 convention relating to refugee status. Carl Buckley, who leads Guernica 37’s efforts against the Danish government, hopes for interim relief that would stop Denmark from revoking residence permits until the Court rules on a substantive complaint.
As per news reports, Denmark, which houses 35,000 Syrians, started losing its tolerance for refugees and migrants due to the rise of its far-right party in recent years. Observers believe that low tolerance for the migrant population is the centre-left coalition government’s attempt to win back votes.
The denial of the renewal of residency permits poses another problem for Syrian refugees. The refugees who are denied temporary residence permits or refused renewal of their permit could get stuck in the detention centre for years, since Denmark cannot deport refugees directly due to a lack of diplomatic ties with Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.
One such example is Ghalia, whose residence permit was revoked in March. The Guardian quoted Ghalia saying, “I feel nothing but fear about going into the immigration centre by myself, but I can’t return to Syria…it is like they believe we have a choice, but if I go back, I will be arrested. You can’t do anything in the immigration centres; you can’t work; you can’t study. It’s like a prison. I’ll waste my life away in there.”
Guernica 37 and the group of Danish law firms hope to avoid taking the Danish government to Court, as the rate of revoking the residence permits has slowed down due to widespread criticism from the public, human rights groups, and the UN.
Denmark Faces Prospect of Legal Action Over Deportation of Syrian Refugees
A consortium of lawyers and activists are preparing to take the Danish government to the European Court of Human Rights over its decision to deport Syrian refugees.
July 30, 2021
SOURCE: ARAB NEWS