In January 2014, 30 Syrian refugees were
welcomed to the city of Le Havre. As
promised in a statement by the President of the Republic last October, 470 additional
Syrian refugees should follow this initial group during 2014, to be received in
a diverse variety of locations. At a
time when more than 100 European NGOs and the European Council on Refugees and
Exiles (ECRE) are calling on Europe to act for Syrian refugees
(www.helpsyriasrefugees.eu), the arrival
of Syrian refugees into France is a concrete example of solidarity and
protection that Europe can offer.
Despite showing strong political commitment
in the Syrian conflict, to date France has not been perceived as a country of
asylum for Syrians. In 2013, only 1300 Syrian nationals sought asylum in France
and, even if there has been a dramatic increase since the beginning of the
conflict, Syria still ranks 17th on the list of countries of origin of asylum
seekers in France. This resettlement and humanitarian admission programme is
thus an indication that France has finally recognised the dramatic plight of
Syrians.
