Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has ruled out suspending asylum applications for Syrian citizens, saying that his country will continue to process asylum requests from Syrian nationals as usual since the number of applications received was smaller compared to other European countries.

He told a news briefing, “At this moment, that [suspension] is not necessary and is not being discussed.”

According to Interior Ministry data, in the first 11 months of the year, 1,393 Syrians sought asylum in Spain.

Albares disclosed that Spain planned to reinforce its embassy staff in Damascus in the coming days and potentially send a special envoy to Syria to start a dialogue with the new authorities while it hoped for a peaceful transition of power with respect for human rights.

Albares also reported the successful evacuation of 26 Spaniards and Spanish-Syrians from Damascus to the Lebanese border in an operation organised by the Spanish embassy with the UN. “As soon as the airport can be used, we will move on to new phases of evacuation,” he added, stressing that the Spanish embassy is still operational and the consular emergency telephone numbers are available for those who need them.

In Spain, immigration has not been such an issue in recent years. It should be noted, however, that Albares’ statement on Syrian asylum claims was stating the policy for now and could plausibly change in the future.

Some European countries have put asylum applications from Syrians on hold until further notice following the fall of al-Assad regime.

These countries include Germany, Switzerland, the UK, Norway, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Syria was the top country of origin for asylum seekers in Germany this year – the largest country in the EU by population and GDP – with 72,420 applications submitted by the end of November, according to data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) quoted by a news agency.

The news agency added that about 47,270 remain undecided.

131,574 Syrians In Wait For Asylum Response Across Europe

Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, told a news agency that 131,574 Syrians across Europe were waiting for a response on their asylum applications.

Since al-Assad’s fall, a number of European countries have paused asylum claims from Syrians, meaning more than 85,000 applications have so far been put on hold, data provided by the agency shows.

A Spokesperson for UNHCR told the news agency via email, “The suspension of processing of asylum applications from Syrians is acceptable as long as people can apply for asylum and are able to lodge asylum applications.”

The Spokesperson added that once conditions in Syria are clearer, UNHCR will provide guidance to states on the international protection needs of relevant profiles of Syrians at risk.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson stressed that Syrian asylum-seekers who are waiting for a resumption of decision-making on their claims should continue to be granted the same rights as all other asylum-seekers, including in terms of reception conditions. “No asylum-seeker should be forcibly returned, as this would violate the non-refoulement obligation on States,” the Spokesperson noted.

Separately, the International Rescue Committee called on all countries where Syrians are living as refugees “to uphold the right to asylum, as well as the principle of safe and voluntary return.”

The organisation, which helps people affected by humanitarian crises, told a news agency that it remains to be seen whether “this new reality will allow Syrians to start rebuilding their lives, or whether an even graver crisis lies ahead.”

“While fighting in northwestern Syria has calmed, there’s still conflict in the northeast,” it said.