Syrian British Consortium

يشارك المجلس السوري البريطاني أهالي الضحايا فرحتهم بإعلان وزارة الداخلية السورية اعتقال أمجد يوسف، المعروف بـ“جزار التضامن”، والمسؤول عن ارتكاب انتهاكات جسيمة بحق المدنيين.

ويؤكد المجلس دعمه وتشجيعه لأي خطوات جادة من شأنها تعزيز المساءلة وإنهاء الإفلات من العقاب، بما يسهم في التقدم في مسار العدالة الانتقالية، وترسيخ سيادة القانون، وضمان حقوق الضحايا والمتضررين، وتحقيق العدالة المنشودة.

The Syrian British Consortium stands in solidarity with the families of the victims in welcoming the announcement by the Syrian Ministry of Interior of the arrest of Amjad Youssef, known as the “Butcher of Tadamon”, responsible for grave violations against civilians.

SBC reaffirms its full support for, and strongly encourages, all serious steps towards accountability and an end to impunity. Such measures are essential to advancing the path of transitional justice, upholding the rule of law, securing the rights of victims and survivors, and delivering the justice they have long been denied.

https://www.facebook.com/syrianmoi/posts/pfbid0X8TnGrbubZkNydpe3HPCTa3ySWCVKQLiE6DqaH6btZUxuTvEQp3uqFBETpbxbNFml

عقد المجلس السوري البريطاني لقاءً حوارياً مع أعضاء الهيئة العامة، استعرض خلاله أبرز إنجازات الربع الأول من عام 2026 وخطة العمل للفترة القادمة.
تناول اللقاء الجهود السياسية للمجلس، بما في ذلك إصدار بيانات حول التطورات في سوريا وإعداد موجز برلماني لدعم النقاش داخل المملكة المتحدة، إضافة إلى اللقاءات مع أعضاء في البرلمان البريطاني لمتابعة قضايا اللاجئين السوريين. كما تم تسليط الضوء على العمل المستمر في ملف الإقامة الدائمة (ILR) من خلال جهود المناصرة ودعم المتضررين.
واستعرض المجلس حضوره الإعلامي عبر عدد من المقابلات التي تناولت زيارة الرئيس السوري إلى بريطانيا، إلى جانب العمل على تطوير الحوكمة الداخلية وإنشاء لجان متخصصة لتعزيز الأداء المؤسسي. وشهد اللقاء تفاعلاً إيجابياً ومداخلات قيّمة من الأعضاء دعماً لتطوير عمل المجلس في المرحلة القادمة.

Please contact your MP in support of Syrian refugees whose ILR applications (Indefinite Leave to Remain) - normally decided within six months - have been suspended for over 16 months.

Affected Syrian families face difficulties proving their status, generating share codes, changing jobs, progressing in higher education, travelling for study or work, renting accommodation, obtaining mortgages, and planning family life. Their concerns are heightened by the current instability in Syria and the wider Middle East.

Contact your MP using the below template.

Find your MP here:
https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

Email Subject: Vulnerable Syrians Trapped Under ILR Scheme

[Your full name]
[Your full address]
[Postcode]

[Date]

Dear [MP name],

I am writing to you as your constituent to ask for your urgent assistance regarding the prolonged delays affecting Syrian refugees who have applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Settlement Protection route.

I am supporting this matter because it is directly affecting individuals within my local community who are awaiting decisions on their ILR applications and are facing ongoing uncertainty, and I am deeply concerned by what now appears to be a wider pattern affecting many Syrian applicants across the UK.

A large number of Syrian refugees completed five years of refugee status and then applied for Settlement Protection, expecting their applications to be decided through the normal route within six months. However, many have instead faced long delays (up to 2 years), during which they may receive a formal letter from the Home Office indicating that it is considering reviewing or withdrawing their refugee status and inviting them to respond (NOI), repeated requests for evidence, and in some cases, lengthy interviews focused on whether Syria is now supposedly safe for return. At the same time, Syrians who came through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement VPR (as opposed to those who claimed asylum after entering the UK) have begun receiving ILR, which gives rise to clear concerns regarding unequal and inconsistent treatment.

This prolonged uncertainty is causing real harm. It affects family life, mental wellbeing, employment, travel, housing stability, and the ability to plan for the future.

With the above, I would be very grateful if you could please:
1. Write to Minister Alex Norris in support of a collective request submitted by 306 affected Syrians on 9 April 2026 to meet with him, and urge him to accept the meeting request (copy of meeting request is included in Annex I below, signatures have been omitted for data protection);
2. Write to the Home Office seeking clarification on why Syrian Settlement Protection applications continue to face such prolonged delays, as well as whether there is a policy difference for reviewing Syrian VPR cases versus other Syrian refugee cases;
3. Submit a written Parliamentary question regarding the current handling, delays, and policy approach to Syrian SET P / ILR applications.

I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide and for any updates you receive from the Home Office.

Yours sincerely,
[Your full name]
[Your full address]

Annex I: Copy of meeting request submitted to Minister Alex Norris on 9 April 2026 through the Syrian British Consortium and Rethink Rebuild Society, signed by 306 affected Syrians (signatures have been omitted for data protection purposes):

9 April 2026

Dear Alex Norris MP,

We hope this message finds you well.

We, the undersigned, are writing to request an urgent meeting with yourself to discuss the situation of Syrian refugees in the United Kingdom who have applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and have been affected by the suspension of decisions following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.

This suspension has effectively placed our lives on hold, creating difficulties in proving our status, generating share codes, changing jobs, progressing in higher education, travelling for study or work, renting accommodation, obtaining mortgages, planning family life, and/or managing the anxiety caused by repeated uncertainty over our future.

While developments in Syria are ongoing, the country remains unstable and faces a long and uncertain path toward recovery and reconstruction. Returning is neither viable nor safe for us.

We have found in the United Kingdom a safe home and a refuge. We are committed to continuing our lives here, contributing positively to British society, and building a stable future for ourselves and our families.

We look forward to meeting with you to discuss these issues in greater depth, and to obtain greater clarity regarding the steps that will be taken towards resolving our pending applications in a fair and timely manner.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Signed:

يساهم المجلس السوري البريطاني بالتعاون مع مركز الجالية السورية في مانشستر Rethink Rebuild Society بحملة لدعم اللاجئين السوريين الذين قدموا على الإقامات الدائمة ولا زالوا في طور انتظار رد من الهوم أوفيس على طلباتهم.

هذه الحملة تتكون من محورين:
- إرسال رسالة من المتضررين إلى أليكس نوريس الوزير المفوض للهوم أوفيس لنطلب منه مقابلة عاجلة.
- ورسائل من الجميع (سوريين و غير سوريين) لأعضاء البرلمان الخاصين بمناطقهم يطلبون منهم حث أليكس نوريس على مقابلتنا وسماع قضيتنا.

لذلك، لطفاً، نطلب منكم أن ترسلوا الرسالة التالية إلى عضو البرلمان الخاص بمنطقتكم لمساعدتنا في هذه الحملة مع مراعاة إضافة الاسم و العنوان.

يرجى استخدام هذا الموقع لإرسال الرسالة
https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

نص الرسالة:

Email Subject: Vulnerable Syrians Trapped Under ILR Scheme

[Your full name]
[Your full address]
[Postcode]

[Date]

Dear [MP name],

I am writing to you as your constituent to ask for your urgent assistance regarding the prolonged delays affecting Syrian refugees who have applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the Settlement Protection route.

I am supporting this matter because it is directly affecting individuals within my local community who are awaiting decisions on their ILR applications and are facing ongoing uncertainty, and I am deeply concerned by what now appears to be a wider pattern affecting many Syrian applicants across the UK.

A large number of Syrian refugees completed five years of refugee status and then applied for Settlement Protection, expecting their applications to be decided through the normal route within six months. However, many have instead faced long delays (up to 2 years), during which they may receive a formal letter from the Home Office indicating that it is considering reviewing or withdrawing their refugee status and inviting them to respond (NOI), repeated requests for evidence, and in some cases, lengthy interviews focused on whether Syria is now supposedly safe for return. At the same time, Syrians who came through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement VPR (as opposed to those who claimed asylum after entering the UK) have begun receiving ILR, which gives rise to clear concerns regarding unequal and inconsistent treatment.

This prolonged uncertainty is causing real harm. It affects family life, mental wellbeing, employment, travel, housing stability, and the ability to plan for the future.

With the above, I would be very grateful if you could please:
1. Write to Minister Alex Norris in support of a collective request submitted by 306 affected Syrians on 9 April 2026 to meet with him, and urge him to accept the meeting request (copy of meeting request is included in Annex I below, signatures have been omitted for data protection);
2. Write to the Home Office seeking clarification on why Syrian Settlement Protection applications continue to face such prolonged delays, as well as whether there is a policy difference for reviewing Syrian VPR cases versus other Syrian refugee cases;
3. Submit a written Parliamentary question regarding the current handling, delays, and policy approach to Syrian SET P / ILR applications.

I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide and for any updates you receive from the Home Office.

Yours sincerely,
[Your full name]
[Your full address]

Annex I: Copy of meeting request submitted to Minister Alex Norris on 9 April 2026 through the Syrian British Consortium and Rethink Rebuild Society, signed by 306 affected Syrians (signatures have been omitted for data protection purposes):

9 April 2026

Dear Alex Norris MP,

We hope this message finds you well.

We, the undersigned, are writing to request an urgent meeting with yourself to discuss the situation of Syrian refugees in the United Kingdom who have applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and have been affected by the suspension of decisions following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.

This suspension has effectively placed our lives on hold, creating difficulties in proving our status, generating share codes, changing jobs, progressing in higher education, travelling for study or work, renting accommodation, obtaining mortgages, planning family life, and/or managing the anxiety caused by repeated uncertainty over our future.

While developments in Syria are ongoing, the country remains unstable and faces a long and uncertain path toward recovery and reconstruction. Returning is neither viable nor safe for us.

We have found in the United Kingdom a safe home and a refuge. We are committed to continuing our lives here, contributing positively to British society, and building a stable future for ourselves and our families.

We look forward to meeting with you to discuss these issues in greater depth, and to obtain greater clarity regarding the steps that will be taken towards resolving our pending applications in a fair and timely manner.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Signed:

"أكد أنس علاء الدين، عضو مجلس إدارة المجلس السوري البريطاني، في حديث لمنصة سوريا 24، أن زيارة الرئيس الشرع تمثل “فصلًا جديدًا في العلاقات بين البلدين”، مشيرًا إلى أن الجالية السورية في بريطانيا لعبت دورًا مهمًا خلال السنوات الماضية في بناء مؤسسات المجتمع المدني، وتحمل اليوم رؤية للمساهمة في إعادة بناء سوريا.

"بدوره، اعتبر عبد العزيز الماشي، عضو مجلس الإدارة في المجلس السوري البريطاني، أن زيارة الشرع تأتي في سياق سعي دمشق لإعادة فتح قنوات التواصل مع الغرب، في ظل التحولات الدولية والإقليمية."

لندن تستقبل الشرع: بداية مسار جديد في العلاقات السورية–الغربية في زيارة تاريخية، الرئيس السوري أحمد الشرع في لندن للقاء كير ستارمر. اكتشف أبعاد استئناف العلاقات الدبلوماسية والاقتصادية ومستقبل إعادة الإعمار

تعليق عضو مجلس إدارة المجلس السوري البريطاني، عبد العزيز الماشي، على قناة الإخبارية السورية، حول تطورات إعادة العلاقات بين سوريا وبريطانيا، في ظل زيارة الرئيس السوري أحمد الشرع إلى المملكة المتحدة.

تعليق المجلس السوري البريطاني حول تطورات إعادة العلاقات بين سوريا وبريطانيا تعليق عضو مجلس إدارة المجلس السوري البريطاني، عبد العزيز الماشي، على قناة الإخبارية السورية، حول تطورات إعادة العلاقات بين سوريا وبريطانيا، في ظل زيارة الرئي...

تعليق عضو مجلس إدارة المجلس السوري البريطاني أنس علاء الدين على تلفزيون سوريا حول زيارة الرئيس الشرع. تناول الحديث الآفاق السياسية وفرض التبادل والتعاون في المجالات الإقتصادية والأمنية.

ما أهمية زيارة الرئيس الشرع إلى بريطانيا وأي الملفات في صدارة مباحثاتها؟ ما أهمية زيارة الرئيس الشرع إلى بريطانيا وأي الملفات في صدارة مباحثاتها؟ ===============================يمكنكم مشاهدة تلف...

نقلت صحيفة The National عن عبد العزيز الماشي، عضو مجلس إدارة في المجلس السوري البريطاني، أن زيارة الرئيس السوري إلى لندن تمثل بداية فصل جديد في العلاقات السورية البريطانية، مع أهمية إشراك الجالية السورية في إعادة الإعمار وتعزيز التعاون الاقتصادي.

The National, citing Abdulaziz Almashi, a board member of the Syrian British Consortium, reported that the Syrian President’s visit to London marks a new chapter in UK–Syria relations, highlighting the need to involve the Syrian diaspora in reconstruction and economic cooperation.

Al Shara joins Starmer in warning of severe impact of Hormuz closure | The National Syrian President on visit to London for high-level meetings

SBC members captured during the community meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in London on 31 March — a meaningful moment for UK Syrians

31 March 2026

Syrian British Consortium Reacts to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Visit to the UK

The Syrian British Consortium welcomes the visit of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the United Kingdom as a significant step toward a new chapter in UK–Syria relations. This visit presents an important opportunity to reset bilateral cooperation on a constructive and forward-looking basis, grounded in shared interests and mutual respect.

For the Syrian community in the United Kingdom, this moment carries particular importance. Over the past fifteen years, Syrians in the UK have worked diligently to establish civil society initiatives advocating for a free Syria founded on dignity and justice. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, a genuine opportunity has emerged to rebuild the country on these principles, despite the ongoing challenges inherited from the former regime.

In this context, SBC views President Sharaa’s visit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen communication channels between the Syrian government and the Syrian diaspora in the UK, including through a meeting to be held later today between Sharaa and members of the UK Syrian community. We hope this engagement will provide a platform to convey the perspectives and aspirations of Syrians in the UK directly, particularly on key issues such as transitional justice.

The Syrian diaspora is uniquely positioned to contribute meaningfully to Syria’s rebirth. Over many years, Syrians in the UK have developed extensive expertise across diverse sectors. Dr Yasmine Nahlawi, Chairperson of SBC’s Board of Directors, says: “Syrians in the UK are deeply committed to rebuilding a modern Syria grounded in justice and the rule of law. We hope that President Sharaa’s visit will open opportunities to integrate UK Syrians’ expertise into Syria’s reconstruction efforts—whether through direct contributions on the ground or through strategic partnerships with Syrian institutions and UK-based civil society organisations.”

We also hope that discussions with the British government have addressed the issue of frozen Syrian assets, with a view to channelling these resources into development initiatives, supporting state rebuilding efforts, and ensuring justice for victims through a victims' fund.

Finally, we stress that the reopening of the Syrian embassy in London, alongside the reestablishment of a British embassy in Damascus, is both urgent and essential. Such measures would not only facilitate critical consular services but also strengthen official ties and have a tangible, positive impact on the daily lives of Syrians.

SBC remains committed to supporting efforts that advance a stable, just, and prosperous future for Syria and its people.

For media enquiries, contact [email protected].

END