The Austrian authorities have decided to temporarily suspend the processing of asylum applications for Syrian citizens. This was reported by the newspaper Kronen Zeitung, citing its sources.
According to the publication, around 12,500 Syrians sought asylum in Austria in 2024 alone. This significant number of applications is attributed to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria, where the consequences of a prolonged conflict and socio-economic difficulties persist. However, the Austrian government is concerned about the increasing strain on the asylum system, which has become one of the reasons for the temporary suspension.
In recent years, Austria has been tightening its immigration policies. The country is among the European Union member states where the regulation of refugee flows sparks lively political debates. Authorities state that their main goal is to strike a balance between humanitarian responsibilities and the state’s capacity to provide adequate conditions for asylum seekers.
In addition to Syrian nationals, Austria has also seen a rise in asylum applications from citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, African countries, and other regions. This increase has posed a significant challenge to the infrastructure and services tasked with processing applications and integrating refugees.
The decision to suspend application processing has already drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which are urging the Austrian government to reconsider its position. These organizations argue that such measures could leave thousands of people fleeing war and violence without the protection they urgently need.
International organizations, including the UN, emphasize that European countries must continue to collaborate on resolving the migration crisis and ensure a fair distribution of responsibility among EU member states.
