More than 40 German organizations warn against suspending the right to asylum in the EU

Before the European Union discussed asylum law, almost 40 German organizations from church and society made an appeal to the federal government. The background is the EU summit in Brussels that begins on Thursday.

The organizations fear that the European Council at the end of the week will discuss proposals that suspend the right to asylum in certain situations, "for example in the case of a very high number of arrivals due to suspected instrumentalization of migration by third countries. This means that people could be turned back at Europe's borders before they are even allowed to say why they need protection," says the statement, which was signed by, among others, the Catholic relief organization Misereor, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the women's rights organization Solwodi, Doctors Without Borders and Pro Asyl.

The authors refer to the events in Ceuta, which are now being used to justify a suspension of the right to asylum. “The arrival of tens of thousands of people within a very short period of time undoubtedly presented major challenges to the local authorities and the existing reception and care capacities,” admit the signatories of the letter. “At the same time, the situation was highly risky for the people themselves.” According to human rights organizations, more than 140 people died trying to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa.

“This extraordinary situation and the suffering caused must be taken seriously,” demand the organizations. The answer to this should be mutual support and solidarity between EU member states. “Suspension of the right to asylum, on the other hand, would not only endanger specifically persecuted people, but would also weaken the credibility of the EU.”

“Dangerous precedent”

A possible suspension of the right to asylum approved by the EU would be a serious breach of fundamental European rights, the signatories warn. These rights are achievements. They must be preserved and defended, especially in challenging situations.

“Anyone who suspends the law for certain situations today strengthens those who call for its abolition and pushes the limits of what appears politically and legally possible - a dangerous precedent for fundamental rights in the European Union,” warned Wednesday’s appeal. “Anyone who suspends the right to asylum is questioning a central component of the European protection of fundamental rights and the self-image of the European Union as an area of ​​human rights, freedom, equality and solidarity.”

Many people seeking protection are already experiencing violence at Europe's borders: "The right to seek asylum is being denied through so-called pushbacks." According to the signatories, the EU could be on the verge of “legalizing this human rights violation, contrary to fundamental rights.”

In their letter to the federal government, the organizations appeal together: “At the European level, stand up clearly for European fundamental rights and thus also for the right to asylum.”

Europe is planning several “return hubs”

The EU is planning to significantly tighten migration policy. The external borders should be more closely controlled and the border protection agency Frontex should be expanded. In the event of exceptional migration movements, Frontex should be able to intervene within 24 hours.

There is also provision for a crisis mechanism with accelerated returns if Member States identify an exceptional situation that is not based on a humanitarian emergency. In order to curb irregular migration before entry into Europe, several so-called “return hubs” are to be created outside the EU. Migrants who are obliged to leave the country and cannot be returned to their countries of origin are to be accommodated there.