Malta Temporarily Suspends Reviews Of Syrian Asylum Applications
Malta has decided to suspend the examination of pending and new Syrian asylum applications, echoing decisions made by Germany, the UK and Greece.
A statement issued by Malta’s Home Affairs Ministry informed that the International Protection Agency has suspended the examination of asylum applications for international protection by Syrian nationals.
It said that it will continue to assess the evolving situation with the aim of resuming the processing of such applications in the “shortest time possible”. The ministry made this decision because, at present, “it is not possible to properly assess applicants’ reasons for seeking international protection”.
This comes just two days after Syrian rebels overthrew the oppressive regime that had been ruling since the year 2000. It marked a massive turning point in the 13-year civil war which has caused one of the biggest refugee crises in Europe.
Syria’s opposition led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now agreed to transfer power to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) Syrian Salvation Government (SSG). The transitional government is to be formed by Mohammed al-Bashir, who is close to the HTS – the group that led the Damascus takeover.
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