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Asylum for Syrian Christians on the agenda

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 26.05.2015 12:03
Representatives of the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and the Office for Foreigners have met to discuss the prospect of giving asylum to about 1,500 Syrian Christians.
Most of the asylum-seekers are from Damascus, pictured on 23 May. Photo: EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWIMost of the asylum-seekers are from Damascus, pictured on 23 May. Photo: EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI

The initiative, which is being led by the Warsaw-based Ester Foundation, has material backing from Polish charities, churches and businessmen.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Małgorzata Wożniak is optimistic that the project can be finalised.

Some details have emerged that need to be straightened out,” Wożniak noted.

However, we continue to express our willingness to cooperate and solve this problem,” she added.

Among other factors, the asylum-seekers, who are mainly from Damascus, need residency permits, as well as visas to cross the Syrian borders with Lebanon or Jordan.

A programme to help the refugees assimilate into Polish society has already been prepared, and the costs are theoretically to be covered by organisations and individuals cooperating with the Ester Foundation, which is led by Miriam Shaded.

The next meeting on the matter is due to take place on Thursday.

Syrian Christian leaders initially appealed to Miriam Shaded in late 2014, and the foundation was created thereafter.

It has been estimated that 200,000 people have been killed since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, when the Free Syrian Army took up arms against President Bashar al-Assad.

Other rebel factions pose a direct threat to the country's 10 percent Christian community, not least Jihadist formations such as the Islamic State – currently in control of much of the country.

Millions of Syrian citizens have been displaced since 2011. (nh)

Source: PAP

tags: Syria
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