Increase in number of Syrians seeking asylum in Germany

Official statistics have revealed that 65 Syrians sought asylum in Germany last year, a 41 per cent increase over the previous year.

Despite this dramatic increase, the number of asylum seekers from all countries did not exceed the numbers witnessed during the 1990s, which saw a huge influx of refugees fleeing from Balkan countries such as Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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The current conflict in Syria is given as the reason for the asylum applications. The struggle against Bashar Al-Assad’s government has resulted in tens of thousands of refugees. The numbers of Afghani and Iraqi asylum seekers decreased last year, German interior ministry records show.

Minister of the Interior Hans Peter Fiddich said that his country deals firmly with those who exploit public services through bogus asylum applications so that the authorities are able to protect those who are genuine. The Minister said that the increase in the number of Syrian refugees was expected because of the conflict there, but he expressed his surprise about the numbers of asylum seekers from countries where there is no political persecution.

Refugee rights organisations in Germany have asked the government to provide more affordable housing for refugees and asylum seekers.