
Netherlands Offers Financial Incentives for Syrian Refugees to Withdraw Asylum Requests
ARK News.. Dutch media reported that the Repatriation and Departure Service (RDS) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice is offering Syrian refugees €900 in cash and a ticket to Damascus if they agree to withdraw their asylum applications.
According to the RDS, Syrian refugees in the Netherlands who wish to return to Syria following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime can receive €900 in cash and a ticket to Damascus on the condition that they permanently abandon their asylum claims.
Reports indicate that the amount offered by the Dutch government is double the usual maximum of €500, specifically targeting Syrians residing illegally in the Netherlands, those with temporary residence permits, or those in the process of obtaining a permit.
Syrians who wish to accept the offer must sign a document that permanently revokes their right to residency or asylum applications in the future. This comes as the Dutch government suspended new asylum applications in December 2024.
The RDS noted that it has received inquiries and assistance requests from Syrians interested in returning. However, officials stressed that candidates will be informed about the potential risks of returning, as it remains unclear whether Syria is safe for everyone.
The service will also assist with booking travel tickets to Damascus, although it remains uncertain who will cover the cost of the tickets.
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