Skip to Content

Report on the fact-finding mission to Syria and Lebanon published

Publication date 14.12.2018 10.48
Press release

Two researchers from the Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service conducted a fact-finding mission to Damascus in Syria and to Beirut in Lebanon in April. The purpose of this fact-finding mission was to gather current information about the Syrian pro-government armed groups and the freedom of movement in government-controlled areas in Syria.

Information was gathered especially about the power relations between the Syrian pro-government armed groups, recruitment practices, the local-level reconciliation processes and the possibilities for people to return to their home region. An additional purpose of the mission was to enhance the existing contact network that includes both international and national actors. When needed, up-to-date information on the circumstances in Syria can be obtained from this contact network, in support of decisions on asylum, residence permits or citizenship.

The mission was successful.

A more extensive report on the fact-finding mission is now available in English on our website at migri.fi/raportit.

This fact-finding mission to Syria and Lebanon was part of the FAKTA project, which has received EU funding from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The Finnish Immigration Service aims to make fact-finding missions routine.

The Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service produces country of origin information (COI) in particular about the countries from which asylum seekers, quota refugees and other immigrants come to Finland. Researchers at the Country Information Service do not participate in the decision-making process regarding residence permits, or in the establishment of country guidelines.

Further information for the media

  • General information on the FAKTA project: Satu Ruotsalainen, Project Manager, firstname.lastname@migri.fi, tel. +358 295 430 431
  • Further details on country information concerning Syria: Mika Niskanen, Researcher, firstname.lastname@migri.fi, tel. +358 295 430 431