(Reuters) Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers and civil society organisations, Denmark is determined to push ahead with efforts to return refugees to war-torn Syria as it claims conditions in parts of the country have improved.
On Tuesday, the EU’s top migration official expressed concern about the approach after the Nordic country decided last year to review hundreds of residency permits for Syrian asylum seekers.
In response, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Danish parliament last week to protest the move to revoke residency permits, echoing calls from NGOs and EU lawmakers, who say Syria is not safe to return to.
“Denmark has been open and honest from day one. We have made it clear to the Syrian refugees that their residence permit is temporary and that the permit can be revoked if the need for protection ceases to exist,” Immigration Minister Mattias Tesfaye told Reuters on Tuesday.
