Refugees and asylum seekers in Europe need a rights-based approach to the issue of return: insights from the case of the Syrian displacement

Summary box
European asylum policies have become increasingly restrictive, raising concerns about the protection of refugee rights, including access to healthcare and adherence to the principle of non-refoulement.

This commentary argues that the suspension of asylum applications for Syrians is premature, legally and ethically problematic, and poses serious health risks. It also emphasises the potential of engaging the Syrian diaspora in policy development and sustainable recovery.

Our commentary calls for European asylum policies to be grounded in context-specific safety assessments and developed through inclusive, coordinated approaches involving all relevant stakeholders.