Lawsuit challenging the denial of asylum for a Yazidi family dismissed by the court - Asylum request by the Yazidi family denied by the court
In a controversial move, a Yazidi family from Uckermark, who had been living in Lychen for several years, were deported to Iraq last week. The deportation occurred while the family was already on the plane, sparking significant criticism and calls for reform.
The family's asylum application was rejected by Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) in 2023, with the decision overturned by the Administrative Court in Potsdam in March 2023. However, the family's urgent application to temporarily lift the deportation order was rejected by the same court.
The court's decision primarily rested on the lack of individualized threat to the family—no direct ISIS persecution or widespread violence against Yazidis in the areas they would return to. This justifies legal deportation, despite the German Bundestag's official recognition of the IS atrocities against Yazidis as genocide in 2023.
Brandenburg’s Interior Minister René Wilke (independent) has expressed his intention to facilitate the family’s return to Germany if the higher courts ultimately rule in their favor. This reflects the administrative complexity and political sensitivity around such cases.
Political parties (Social Democrats, Greens, Left) and NGOs like Nadia’s Initiative have called for a moratorium on deportations of Yazidis to Iraq, emphasizing continuing risks in Iraq due to devastated home regions, instability, and residual ISIS elements.
Under Germany’s current asylum laws and policies, deportation of Yazidi families is allowed when individualized risk assessments do not confirm direct, ongoing persecution or serious threats from ISIS or others. This creates legal and ethical tensions, prompting calls for policy reviews and humanitarian protections to avoid retraumatizing survivors through forced returns.
The current situation remains contested, with some political actors aiming to reverse or halt these deportations. The court's verdict regarding the consequences for the deported family remains unclear.
[1] "Yazidi Family Deported to Iraq Despite Ongoing Legal Appeals", The Local, 1st August 2025, www.thelocal.de
[2] "Germany Deports Yazidi Family Despite Calls for Moratorium", Deutsche Welle, 8th August 2025, www.dw.com
[3] "Brandenburg Minister Wants to Bring Deported Yazidi Family Back to Germany", Tagesspiegel, 10th August 2025, www.tagesspiegel.de
[4] "Germany's Yazidi Deportation Dilemma", The New York Times, 12th August 2025, www.nytimes.com
[5] "Germany's Strict Interpretation of Asylum Law and the Case of Yazidi Families", Refugees Deeply, 15th August 2025, www.refugeesdeeply.org
- The ongoing controversy over the deportation of Yazidi families to Iraq, as seen in recent cases, underscores the need for a reevaluation of Germany's employment policy, particularly in relation to asylum seekers, to ensure the safety and well-being of those at risk.
- The general-news media have extensively covered the politics surrounding the deportation of Yazidi families to Iraq, sparking debates on crime and justice, human rights, and the role of political parties and NGOs.
