Syrians Facing Expulsion from Denmark Fear Devastation Upon Return
Families face the prospect of returning to war-torn Syria, with homes destroyed and little hope of compensation.
Mesbah Mshleem, a Syrian father living in Denmark, faces a heartbreaking decision: return with his children to Damascus, a city where his home no longer exists, in a neighborhood devastated by the ongoing war. Danish authorities have decided not to renew his residency permit, as well as for over 100 other Syrians, claiming that certain areas of Syria are now “safe” for return.
Mshleem, who has been living in Denmark for several years, expresses his uncertainty and fear: “I do not know what is left to go back to. How can I protect my children there?” He is also grappling with the Danish government’s order to send his five-year-old child back to Syria alone, a decision that his lawyer had to challenge in court.
Denmark has become the first European country to revoke residency permits for Syrian refugees, marking a controversial stance in Europe’s refugee policies. Many Syrians in Denmark now fear being sent back to a country torn apart by conflict, with little hope of returning to normal life or receiving any compensation for their losses. These developments have left families uncertain about their future, with no assurances that they will be safe or able to rebuild their lives.
