Return payment for Syrian refugees is unrealistic
image: Siddhant Sani on Unsplash
The return payment of 900 euros for Syrian asylum seekers is a striking part of the Dutch policy to promote voluntary return. Mark Klaassen, university lecturer in immigration law, told RTL News he considers the scheme premature and points to the uncertainty about how safe Syria currently is.
The Dutch justice ministry’s repatriation service, DTenV, stresses that the return must be a ‘conscious and voluntary choice’, as Syria can still not be considered a safe country for all. The asylum procedures of Syrians have been temporarily suspended for that reason. The scheme offers an alternative to costly and difficult forced deportations.
Klaassen comments that the return premium also applies to Syrians with temporary residence permits or pending asylum applications, provided they consent in writing. He does not expect mass use of the scheme. Besides the cash payment, the state makes financial resources available in the country of origin. Remarkably, the amount made available for Syrian refugees is significantly higher than amounts paid to other groups for reintegration. ‘The scheme seems mainly targeted at people who already want to return voluntarily’, Klaassen said.