Syrian refugees challenge Home Office after being left in limbo claiming sanctuary

Five Syrian refugees in the UK are seeking to challenge the Home Office over a decision to pause all settlement decisions following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

- HOLLY BANCROFT

The Home Office put all Syrian asylum interviews and decisions on hold on 9 December last year so the department could "assess the current situation". They also paused applications by Syrians who have already received refugee status but are seeking to permanently settle in the UK.

At least 7,000 people have been left in limbo by the pause in asylum decisions, according to the latest government figures up to the end of March. However, the number of Syrian refugees waiting for an outcome to a permanent settlement decision is not clear.

The five Syrian refugees, represented by law firm Duncan Lewis, have threatened the Home Office with legal action if the decision is not reversed. In pre-action letters sent to the government, lawyers argue that the pause cannot be justified while officials say they are unable to assess the safety of the current situation in Syria.