Assad overthrown! Why Syrian refugees want to stay in Germany

Assad overthrown! Why Syrian refugees want to stay in Germany

Since the surprising fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, a heated discussion has been brewing about the return of Syrian refugees! But the prospect of many of them returning to Syria is questionable. The renowned migration researcher Jochen Oltmer warns against excessive expectations of return. In an interview with the World he explains why the refugees' ties to Germany should not be underestimated. The experience in Yugoslavia shows that even after the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, only a few returned voluntarily.

Oltmer draws an important comparison with history: After the end of the Yugoslavian war in 1999, out of 350,000 refugees, only around 17,000 returned. These numbers are thought-provoking, as there are hardly any signs of a new large wave of returns in Syria either. All experiences show: Refugees build much stronger relationships with their country of arrival. It's no different in Germany. Almost a quarter of the Syrians living in Germany consist of students who have established close roots here. It's no wonder that many Syrians now see Germany as their new home.

Orphaned hopes of returning

So what does all of this mean for our society? Companies, schools and municipalities have invested a lot in the integration of these people! Oltmer points out that demands for return could jeopardize these successes. We should rather concentrate on exploiting people's potential! Integration, according to Oltmer, remains the only promising path.

The political developments in Syria are also fueling this debate. Amnesty International recently highlighted security concerns regarding return that cannot be ignored. In addition, many Syrian families are firmly rooted in Germany and see their future there. The situation continues to be influenced by events in Syria, as the situation there remains fragile. The opening of asylum procedures for Syrians will be temporarily frozen.

The future of the Syrian diaspora

One thing is clear: the question of return is complex and goes far beyond simple confessions. It remains uncertain whether there will be a way back for many Syrians in the near future. Migration policy must adapt in the long term to meet the new realities, such as MSN reported. Social bonds, both emotional and economic, are strong enough to approach the return debate cautiously.

The discussions are heated, opinions are divided, but a major wave of returns seems unlikely. Society and politics must act wisely to promote the opportunities that lie in integration. One thing is certain: the voice of the Syrian diaspora will become more important, while political stability in Syria itself remains uncertain.