The European Union has issued new guidance affecting asylum decisions in Sweden and across the bloc, particularly concerning applicants with links to terrorist groups such as ISIS.
According to internal directives sent to staff at the Swedish Migration Agency in early January, individuals with affiliations to ISIS in Syria are now considered to potentially have a “well-founded fear of persecution.”
The guidelines, distributed to case officers in early January, mean that individuals with ISIS membership in Syria can potentially be granted asylum. To deny protection, the agency must prove involvement in war crimes, which is considered highly difficult. One Swedish Migration Agency employee noted how
It strikes both the eyes and ears of a person with normal legal awareness.
The guidelines were based on a December report from the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA). While the guidance is not legally binding, EU member states typically follow its recommendations.
At the same time, the EUAA also adjusted guidance for Christians in Syria, stating that only in “exceptional cases” might they be considered to have a “well-founded fear of persecution”. The guidance comes as Europe faces broader security challenges. Investigations have highlighted the spread of extremist networks, including Hamas, across the continent. Last year authorities in Germany recently seized weapons linked to suspected Hamas operatives, while related incidents have been reported in Austria and the UK.
