“Sweden on Tuesday became the first European Union country to announce it will give asylum to all Syrian refugees who apply.”

“All Syrian asylum seekers who apply for asylum in Sweden will get it,” Annie Hoernblad, the spokeswoman for Sweden’s migration agency, told AFP.”

“The agency made this decision now because it believes the violence in Syria will not end in the near future.”

“The decision, which will give refugees permanent resident status, is valid until further notice, added Hoernblad.

“Those granted permanent status will also be allowed to bring their families to Sweden.

…The move came as the United Nations said the number of refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria had passed two million, which the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, called “the great tragedy of this century”.

 

Sweden grants blanket asylum to Syrian refugees (Yahoo! News)

“…it has emerged that an estimated 50 refugees fleeing Syria have been granted asylum in Ireland.”

“Justice Minister Alan Shatter said decisions still needed to be made regarding five other cases.”

“He also insisted Ireland hadn’t “turned away anyone who sought political asylum” since the violence began.”

 

Officer says Irish troops sufficiently trained for Syria mission (Irish Independent)

Pics: Aoife McDonnell (top) Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland (above)