• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: Denmark: Protect Syrians at Risk of Return (Denmark: UA 45.21)

April 27, 2021

Between 2020 and April 1, 2021, Denmark has revoked or not renewed the residence permits of 380 Syrians, claiming that certain parts of Syria (Damascus and the Rif region) are “safe”. While many of them are waiting for their cases to be finally decided in appeal, 39 Syrians have already been put in a “return position”, meaning that they are at risk of being returned to Syria. Amnesty International believes that any return to Syria would be a violation of the international obligation of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from transferring people to a place where they would be at real risk of serious human rights violations.

TAKE ACTION:
  1. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  2. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 45.21. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration Mr. Mattias Tesfaye Slotsholmsgade 10, 1216 København, Denmark Email: [email protected]
Ambassador Lone Dencker Wisborg Embassy of Denmark 3200 Whitehaven St. NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone.: 202 234 4300 / Fax: 202 328 1470 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @DenmarkinUSA , @DKambUSA Salutation: Dear Ambassador
SAMPLE LETTER  Dear Mattias Tesfaye, I am writing to call on the government of Denmark to halt the review process of the residency permits of Syrian refugees and renew the temporary residency of Syrian refugees who sought refuge in Denmark after fleeing the armed conflict in their country. All Syrian asylum seekers should be granted protection in Denmark. By April 1, 2021, 380 Syrians have already had their residency permits revoked or not renewed at the Immigration Service (first instance) and are now either waiting or have received a final decision by the Danish Refugee Appeals Board (last instance). By April 2021, at least 39 Syrians who fled the armed conflict in Syria have received a final decision on their case and have been put in a so-called ‘return position’ in Denmark – meaning that they are at risk of being deported if Denmark re-establishes diplomatic ties with the Syrian regime. I am concerned that Syrians affected by the decision to review residency permits will be transferred to “return centres” where they would not have access to work or education opportunities, despite no immediate prospect of deportation. I am also concerned that these conditions may pressure them to return to Syria, where they would be at real risk of serious human rights violations. The cessation of hostilities in certain areas of Syria does not mean that people can safely go back. Amnesty International has exhaustively documented the continued crimes taking place in Syria. Civilians in Syria, including refugees who returned, are at risk of serious human rights violations, such as arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, and enforced disappearance. I urge you to take immediate steps to ensure the continuation of protection to all Syrians residing in Denmark, including those who have temporary residency permits. All Syrians are in need of protection until there is a situation where their fundamental rights are no longer at risk in Syria. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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