The European court halts the second deportation from Austria to Syria due to security concerns.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has temporarily halted a planned deportation from Austria to Syria, raising doubts about the country's new approach to returning individuals there. This comes just weeks after Austria carried out its first deportation to Syria in 15 years, following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last December.
According to the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna, the court issued a temporary injunction that will remain in effect until early September. In its decision, the court questioned Austria's assessment of the current situation in Syria and requested clarification on whether the risks of death or torture against the deportee had been adequately considered.
The court also expressed concerns about the unknown fate of the man who was deported in July, who is a convicted criminal. It asked whether the Austrian authorities had taken into account the possibility that Syrian government forces might 'disappear' the next deportee upon arrival. It is noted that the man whose deportation has now been halted also has multiple criminal convictions.
Austria had suspended all deportations to Syria during the civil war. The July operation marked a significant shift in policy, as authorities argued that deportation had become possible due to recent political changes. However, human rights activists warned that Syria remains unsafe and such deportations could expose individuals to serious risks.
Despite the court's intervention, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that it will continue to prepare for further deportations to Syria. For its part, the Austrian Refugee Coordination Association called on the government to completely abandon these plans, demanding protection for those at risk.