Hanaa wins court decision allowing asylum application in Norway despite Denmark’s permit revocation

Hanaa Mohamad Treesh, a Syrian refugee, was forced to flee once again after Denmark revoked her residency permit. She made her way to Norway but initially faced rejection for asylum due to the Dublin Agreement, which stipulates that asylum claims are processed in the first European country the applicant reaches. With the help of the organization Noas and the law firm Wiersholm, she took her case to court.

The Oslo District Court granted her permission to seek asylum in Norway, although the ruling is not yet final as the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) has yet to decide on an appeal. If the decision is upheld, it could set a precedent for other refugees in similar situations.

Every day, Hanaa walks through Tingvoll, surrounded by fjords and mountains, before returning to her modest room in an asylum center. Had she arrived in Norway first, she could have been working and settled by now, rather than taking a long detour through Denmark.

In 2012, she fled the war in Syria, arriving in Denmark in 2014 after crossing the Mediterranean. She learned Danish and secured residency until Denmark decided in 2022 that it was safe for her to return to her home area, Rif Damascus—a move heavily criticized by the UN.

While Denmark has deemed conditions in Damascus safe, Noas argues that sending Hanaa back poses a legitimate risk of persecution. They, along with her legal team, argue that her asylum application should be processed in Norway.

The court initially disagreed with UNE’s stance that Hanaa’s case had already been handled in Denmark, recognizing the lack of guarantees protecting her from being sent back. With the current ruling, Hanaa can now apply for asylum in Norway, but patience is required as a potential appeal looms. Hanaa hopes for a positive outcome, wanting only to contribute to Norwegian society.