Answer to a written question – Commission’s assessment and clarifying guidelines for Syrians living in the EU after the fall of the Assad regime – P-000100/2025(ASW)

Article 11 of Directive 2011/95/EU[1] sets out the grounds for considering that a third-country national has ceased to be a refugee or a person eligible for subsidiary protection. This is also provided for by Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1347[2], which requires that determining authorities also take into account precise and up-to-date information obtained from relevant and available sources. The assessment of whether the conditions for international protection have ceased is to be undertaken on an individual basis, taking into account the specific circumstances of the beneficiary.

Article 31(4) of Directive 2013/32/EU[3] allows Member States to postpone concluding the examination procedure due to an uncertain situation in the country of origin which is expected to be temporary. The Commission is monitoring the situation and has been informed by the relevant Member States about this suspension.

The Commission continues to work closely with the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure that returns are voluntary, safe and dignified, and with other UN partners to help create the conditions inside Syria for people to return.

• [1] Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection, and for the content of the protection granted, OJ L 337, 20.12.2011, p. 9-26, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/95/oj
• [2] Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted, amending Council Directive 2003/109/EC and repealing Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L, 2024/1347, 22.5.2024, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1347/oj
• [3] Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection (recast), OJ L 180, 29.6.2013, p. 60-95, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2013/32/oj