Athens, Greece – Greece has begun reopening the asylum cases of Syrian and Afghan nationals, signaling a policy shift aimed at facilitating returns. The move affects individuals granted protection based on the ongoing civil wars in their home countries, which Greek authorities now deem to have concluded.

This policy change comes as Greece, a major entry point into the European Union, hosts nearly a million legally resident migrants, with approximately 137,000 individuals currently receiving asylum or international protection. The reopening of cases for Syrians and Afghans marks a tightening of the international protection regime for these two nationalities.

Bashir, a Syrian who has lived in Greece since 2014 and received asylum in 2015, is among those affected. He recently received a notice asking him to re-state his reasons for seeking asylum and why he should not return to Syria. "It's a catastrophe," Bashir told Al Jazeera, expressing concern about the potential separation of his family, including his young son born in Greece.

Lawyers representing affected individuals report that such notices are currently being issued to men from both Syria and Afghanistan. Angeliki Theodoropoulou, a lawyer, suggested the policy is influenced by the European Union's stance on these countries and the observed number of voluntary returns, prompting authorities to explore further repatriation possibilities.

Experts and affected individuals question the assessment of safety in Syria and Afghanistan. "We don't understand on what criteria they decided Syria is safe," Bashir stated, pointing to ongoing clashes between government forces and Kurdish militias, as well as sporadic Israeli attacks. He also noted that cultural and political shifts mean many refugees no longer feel comfortable returning.

Concerns are also raised by individuals with differing political affiliations who fear persecution upon return. Jihad, a Syrian who has lived in Greece for over two decades and supported the Assad regime, fears mistreatment due to his political views now that the Syrian government's position has stabilized.

The Greek Ministry of Migration has not provided specific details on the criteria used to determine the safety of Syria and Afghanistan for returns. However, the trend indicates a broader European effort to reduce asylum claims from countries perceived as having overcome internal conflict.

The decision has sparked anxiety among the affected communities, who have established lives, families, and businesses in Greece. The potential for deportations raises significant humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the reunification of families and the safety of individuals with divergent political backgrounds.