Politics · United Kingdom · 13 hrs ago
UK revokes Syrian surgeon’s refugee status, putting him at risk of deportation
The UK Home Office has cancelled the refugee status of a Syrian surgeon who lives in London with his wife and six children.
He came to the UK in 2016 after fleeing the Assad regime and now works at a GP surgery.
The Home Office says changes in Syria mean his fear of persecution is no longer well founded, putting him at risk of deportation.
The decision comes after the fall of the Assad regime, but the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Syria because of the volatile security situation.
The surgeon says radical groups that targeted him are still active and that he does not believe Syria’s government could protect his family.
The move is believed to be the first time the Home Office has withdrawn refugee protection from people of a particular nationality, and thousands of Syrians in the UK may be affected.
The UN refugee agency has called on governments not to return refugees to Syria.
The UK Home Office has revoked a Syrian plastic surgeon’s refugee status, putting him at risk of deportation.
The surgeon says he and his family would be unsafe if returned to Syria, where he says radical groups had targeted him.
The Home Office says conditions in Syria have changed significantly and considers the country safe for the family to return to.
The surgeon fled Syria and arrived in the UK in 2016; he now lives in London with his wife and six children.
The decision is believed to be among the first of its kind in the UK and could affect thousands of Syrians settled there.
- Who
- A Syrian plastic surgeon and his family; the Home Office revoked his refugee status.
- What
- The surgeon’s refugee protection was cancelled, putting him at risk of deportation.
- When
- The surgeon arrived in the UK in 2016; the date of the Home Office decision is not stated.
- Where
- The decision was made in the UK. The family lives in London, and the potential return is to Syria.
- Why
- The Home Office says changes in Syria mean the surgeon’s fear of persecution and serious harm is no longer well founded. He says Syria remains unsafe for his family.
The Syrian surgeon and his family
The UK Home Office
Safety of return
The Syrian surgeon and his family
The surgeon says Syria is unsafe and that radical groups who targeted him remain active.
The UK Home Office
The Home Office considers Syria safe for the family to return to.
Basis for the decision
The Syrian surgeon and his family
The surgeon says the current Syrian government would not be able to protect him from those groups.
The UK Home Office
The Home Office says changes in Syria are significant enough that his fear of persecution and serious harm is no longer well founded.
I don’t believe Syria will be a safe place for me to return to.
Britain will always provide protection to genuine refugees, and we will never return anyone to danger.
The surgeon arrived in the UK after fleeing the Assad regime.
The Home Office revoked the surgeon’s refugee status, saying Syria was safe for the family to return to.
- Arrival in UK
- 2016
- Current home
- London
- Family
- Wife and six children
- Children at university
- Three
- Profession
- Plastic surgeon; currently working in a GP surgery
- Home Office decision
- Refugee status ceased
Sources
Related news
Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
Reform UK proposes suspending asylum system for a full parliamentary term
UK Green Party leader calls for changes to party decision-making
Polanski vows to stay as Green leader after by-election loss and party row
Burnham to publish details of past dealings with Manchester City
Labour holds Starmer’s former London seat, defeating Green leader Zack Polanski
Green MP calls for safeguards against extremist influence in party
Downing Street cat Larry recovers at home after minor surgery
M&S chief urges government to cut business costs and boost growth
Kingston market to stay closed for nine days after fire safety inspection
UK plans to ban non-compete clauses for startups and scaleups
