Responding to plans announced by the German government to impose tighter controls at all of the country’s land borders in what it describes as an attempt to tackle irregular migration, Amnesty International joined 26 non-governmental organizations and associations, in publishing an appeal to the federal government.
“The current debate about an alleged emergency situation and rejections of those seeking protection at German borders endanger European cohesion. Asylum policy challenges can only be solved together and only at the European level. The federal government must not cut the umbilical cord to Europe by relying on national solo efforts and throwing European legal requirements overboard.”
Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty International in German
Joint appeal to the federal government:
“Refugee protection is part of our democratic values - rejecting demands for refoulement, defending the rule of law and human rights in Europe
“We all want to live in a society that protects us, supports us and where we are respected. That is why the pillars of our society are democracy, the rule of law and human rights. They protect each of us and we must protect them. The diversity of our society – from ideas to thoughts, from origin to identity – is our strength. Standing up for the rights of all people in our society also strengthens our own rights. The current debates about tightening asylum laws contradict this goal.
“After the experiences of the Second World War, the right to seek protection from human rights violations in Germany and Europe is part of the DNA of our democracy. People who have fled to Germany are part of our society: they work and get involved here, raise their children here and belong here. Bad behavior by some individuals must never lead to certain groups of people being stigmatized, racialized and marked as not belonging. We will not allow ourselves to be divided.
“We stand against political forces that have an interest in division and uncertainty. In various EU countries we have seen the roadmap of authoritarian politicians. An ‘us against them’ sentiment is created against certain social groups. There is agitation against LGBTI people, immigrant or racialized people, the unemployed, people with disabilities and other social groups. Violence at the borders – even against children – is being normalized. At the same time, the institutions of the rule of law are under attack – from the independence of the judiciary to the work of lawyers. We will not allow such a development to happen again in Germany. Democratic parties must pull together to counteract attempts at division with the cohesion of society.
“Seeking asylum is a human right. Calls to turn back people seeking protection at German borders are clearly contrary to European law. In many EU countries, asylum seekers face life on the streets, impoverishment and arbitrary detention. For these reasons, German courts repeatedly prohibit such deportations. This makes it clear: it must be checked in each individual case whether a deportation is legal. This is part of our constitutional state and cannot be decided ad hoc at the border. Nor is there any national emergency that could justify overriding these principles.
“The ability to act is proven through realistic, value-based and legally compliant policies. Instead of allowing itself to be driven to ever more stringent measures, the federal government must stand up for a Europe based on the rule of law and human rights. For all people.”
