Russia’s Migration Service is consistently denying Syrians asylum, claiming that there is nothing to stop them returning to their country. The officials cite Russia’s Foreign Ministry and Defence Ministry, ignoring both Russia’s direct involvement in making large parts of Syria unsafe for civilians and reports from the UN and numerous NGOs. Russia is also failing to play a proper role in helping refugees, while actively using the refugee crisis in Europe for anti-EU propaganda.
A report just published by the Russian NGO Civic Assistance lists the methods Russia uses to avoid granting asylum to refugees fleeing for their lives, including small children who are clearly in particular danger. They cite cases where even pregnant women have been told they should return to Syria.
