Asylum doors closing for Syrian Christians and other religious in Europe
In recent weeks, asylum applications from Syrian Christians have been rejected in multiple European countries. Authorities have pointed to a changed security environment in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
A common thread in several decisions has been references to statements from church leaders inside Syria who have described improved conditions for Christians and encouraged their communities to remain. Another frequently cited factor is the presence of a Christian minister in Syria’s transitional government.
The rejections mark a sharp reversal from previous years, when Syrian nationals — including Christians fleeing persecution — routinely received protection in Europe.
A Dramatic Shift in European Asylum Policy
After the collapse of the Assad regime, European countries moved quickly to reassess Syrian asylum claims.
What was once treated as a near-automatic grant of protection became subject to strict individual evaluations.According to the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA), of the 38,407 Syrian asylum decisions issued in 2025, more than 27,000 were negative.
The overall success rate for Syrians dropped to around 28 percent — a steep decline from previous years when approval rates often exceeded 80–90 percent.In Germany, the protection rate for new Syrian applications fell to just 2.1 percent in 2025.
The Netherlands granted protection to only 7 percent of Syrian applicants. While France maintained higher approval rates in some periods, individual rejections still occurred across the continent.
A Reuters investigation published in April 2026 documented at least 18 rejections involving Syrian minorities — including Christians, Alawites, Druze, Kurds, and Shia — in Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Only a small number of similar cases succeeded.
“Syria Is Safe Enough”: The Role of Church Leaders and Government
GesturesIn several rejection decisions, European authorities have referenced positive developments inside Syria. One recurring element is the appointment in March 2025 of Hind Kabawat, a Syrian-Canadian Christian, as Minister of Social Affairs and Labour in the transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
She remains the only woman and the only Christian in the cabinet.
Officials have also pointed to statements from Syrian church leaders.
Patriarchs and bishops from various denominations — including the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox churches — have met with the new leadership, reaffirmed historical covenants of protection for Christians, and publicly called for unity and the preservation of Christian communities in Syria.
Some leaders have emphasized that the church continues to function and that Christians should not abandon their ancestral homeland.
European decision-makers appear to have interpreted these signals, together with the appointment of a Christian minister and official condemnations of attacks on churches, as evidence that generalized risks for Christians have decreased. In multiple cases, applicants were told that conditions in Syria no longer automatically warrant protection and that individual evidence of personal persecution was required.
Bishop Hanna Jallouf’s European Tour and Questions Over the Safety Narrative
A particularly influential development has been the recent European tour and appearance at the European Parliament by Bishop Hanna Jallouf, the Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo for the Latin ( Catholic) Church.
Bishop Jallouf, a Franciscan who has long ministered to Syria’s shrinking Christian communities, is known as a close associate of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
During his European visit — including his address at the European Parliament in May 2026 — he advocated for continued support for Catholic schools and institutions in Syria.
He has publicly described al-Sharaa as “honest and wanting what is best for his country” and has affirmed support for Syria’s territorial integrity, the unity of its people, and the new government’s efforts against remaining Assadist elements.
These statements have been referenced in official European policy documents assessing the situation for Christians post-Assad.
Sources familiar with asylum proceedings report that Bishop Jallouf’s tour played a significant role in shaping the narrative presented to European authorities: that Christians can live safely in the new Syria and that the government is committed to their protection.
This messaging aligns with al-Sharaa’s broader agenda of consolidating power by demonstrating inclusivity toward minorities.
However, serious questions have been raised about key elements of this narrative.
Critics point out that Bishop Jallouf met with al-Julani (now Ahmed al-Sharaa) during the period of his abduction a decade ago, with some information suggesting the kidnapping incident may have been coordinated between the two.
Observers also question his claims of receiving personal assurances from al-Sharaa that Christian religious symbols and sites would be protected.
These assurances stand in contrast to reports of widespread sales of Christian properties in Aleppo and the drastic decline in the city’s Christian population. According to multiple accounts, only around 500 Christian families remain in Aleppo today.
Investigation by X.M Investigative team
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