Council of State: Minister of Asylum must reassess safety in Syria

The Council of State has ruled that Dutch Asylum Minister Van den Brink must reassess the security situation in Syria, stating that the current policy lacks sufficient justification. This decision follows a lawsuit from a Syrian asylum seeker whose application was denied. The man, who was tortured by the Assad regime, fears violence if he returns. The Dutch government previously claimed parts of Syria were safe after the regime's fall in 2024, prompting voluntary returns. However, the court found that the minister failed to consider humanitarian conditions and the aftermath of the regime's collapse, rendering the current policy inadequate for denying asylum applications. Minister Van den Brink is reviewing the ruling.