Germany is about to cease granting political asylum to Syrians and to begin repatriating some of them back to their country. After more than a decade of civil war in Syria, the country has finally reached some measure of political stability, and some in Berlin believe the new situation doesn’t warrant the continuation of asylum.
The Assyrian Christian community urges the German government to change its course. No matter how stable the new government in Syria may be, it still allows for the persecution of religious minorities, and for Christians, their country is no more peaceful than it was before. We hereby publish the Syrian community in Germany’s appeal, presenting their case to Germany and the world.
The appeal comes as the radical-right AfD, a growing political force, calls for the deportation of all foreigners in Germany. (Appia Institute)
Syria Is Not Safe for Everyone: Germany Must Not Abandon Syrian Christians. An Urgent Appeal from Assyrian Christian Organizations in Germany
Safe for whom? This is the question the German federal government must answer before sending Syrian refugees back to their country of origin.
The increasing number of asylum rejections and the growing threat of deportation facing Syrian Christians in Germany are a matter of deep concern to us. We cannot understand how people who fled persecution, violence and threats can be expected to return to Syria when their safety there remains seriously in doubt.
The political situation in Syria may have changed. However, a country becoming safer for some people does not automatically mean that it is safe for everyone. The reality faced by Sunni Syrians must not be equated with that of Christians and other religious minorities.
What our fellow Assyrians and Christians in Syria tell us is deeply alarming
As Assyrian Christian organisations, we remain in regular contact with our fellow Assyrians and other Christians in Syria. They report attacks on Christian homes, kidnappings, threats, intimidation and exclusion. Many Christians are afraid to openly practise their faith or move freely within society. They are asking themselves whether they still have a future in their own homeland.
The presence of extremist groups is also a source of grave concern. The so-called Islamic State (ISIS) continues to have supporters and opportunities to exert influence in Syria. We receive videos from Syria showing what we believe to be ISIS flags and Al-Qaeda flags. These images intensify the fears of many Christians and raise serious questions about their actual safety.
These are just some of the reports reaching us. The dangers and fears described by our fellow Assyrians and Christians cannot easily be summarised in a few paragraphs — one could write an entire book about them. Behind every report are people, families and communities fearing for their lives and their future.
How can Germany deport people under these circumstances?
We criticise the German federal government, and the Federal Foreign Office in particular, when the specific risks faced by Christians and other religious minorities are not adequately taken into account in decisions concerning their return.
The Federal Foreign Office warns against travelling to Syria. At the same time, Syrian Christians in Germany are receiving asylum rejections and facing the threat of deportation. This contradiction raises a fundamental question: How can a return to Syria be considered acceptable when serious security risks remain?
Human rights organisations and numerous other organisations are also calling for a halt to deportations to Syria or for protection against returns to dangerous conditions. The German government must take these warnings seriously and properly consider the actual dangers facing religious minorities.
Those who threaten or persecute others because of their faith, or commit violence against them, must be held accountable in accordance with the rule of law. At the same time, people who have fled such persecution must not be sent back into danger.
Our demand is clear:
An immediate halt to the deportation of Syrian Christians!
Not after more people have been attacked. Not after threats have turned into violence. Protection must be provided before people become victims of persecution once again.
We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for freedom of religion, human dignity and the actual risks faced by each individual to be taken seriously in decisions concerning deportation.
Do not forget the Christians of Syria. Do not confuse political change with guaranteed safety. And do not deport people while they face a serious risk of persecution or attack upon their return.
Charli Kanoun
Chairman, Assyrian Cultural Association e. V. Saarlouis Germany
Majed Bahi
Chairman, Assyrian Autonomy Movement e. V. Germany
