Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann's Persistent Support for Border Control and Asylum Seeker Rejections
Border rejections remain acceptable to Hermann - Border Refusal Still Allowed According to Herrmann's Views
Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian Minister of the Interior, remains undeterred in his unwavering stance on border control and the rejection of asylum seekers. Much like Chancellor Friedrich Merz, his views on the contentious practice continue to generate debate.
In alignment with the CSU's position, Herrmann insists that intensified border controls and border rejections are crucial and in accordance with the law. Speaking in Munich, he stated that the specifics of individual cases behind the Berlin Administrative Court’s decision are yet unknown to them. Nevertheless, Herrmann sees the intensified border checks and border rejections, with exceptions for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women, as necessary and legally allowable.
Alexander Dobrindt, the Interior Minister, instigated these measures on May 7.
Recent events unfolded when the Berlin Administrative Court made an urgent ruling on May 9, declaring the rejection of three Somalian asylum seekers at a border control post in Frankfurt (Oder) railway station as unlawful. The ruling stated that until the EU nation responsible for processing their asylum applications is clarified, they may not be turned away. The trio were subsequently sent back to Poland.
The Eurolaw Act assigns national membership duties related to asylum and migration, such as ensuring public order and internal security, to member states. Herrmann stresses that this mandate is highlighted in Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, thereby underlining the sovereignty of the member states in handling their respective asylum cases.
Herrmann points to the potential threats to political stability within the country due to the current migration situation in Germany. He believes that, with the EU's external border protection remaining weak and comprehensive EU-wide measures still inadequate, control at the German borders remains indispensable.
The German Asylum Act grants the authority to refuse entry for those who apply for asylum if they enter from a safe third country. Herrmann suggests that this provision will be implemented.
Earlier, Chancellor Friedrich Merz underscored the Berlin court's decision's possible restrictions of potential actions, noting that limitations should not hinder rejections from proceeding.
Key Players
- Joachim Herrmann
- Migration Policy
- Rejection
- Friedrich Merz
- Berlin
- Bavaria
- Munich
- Border Control
- Administrative Court
- EU
- Asylum
- Federal Ministry of the Interior
- CSU
- Alexander Dobrindt
Insights
- Digital Refugee Card: In 2020, Herrmann collaborated with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to propose a digital refugee card system, which aimed to manage refugee data and facilitate debit card services. However, it raised questions about data privacy and surveillance.
- European Asylum and Migration Law: EU law, including the Dublin III Regulation, must not interfere with member states' competencies to maintain public order and ensure internal security.
- Human Rights and Political Stability: handling asylum seekers can significantly impact public opinion and political stability. Overburdening municipalities and violation of fundamental rights may threaten political stability. Strong and clear policies might be perceived as protecting national security, while lenient approaches can be seen as humanitarian.
- International Relations: EU's stance on asylum seekers determines its international relationships. EU compliance with international human rights standards and European asylum and migration laws prevents strained diplomatic relations and possible tensions.
Joachim Herrmann, the Bavarian Minister of the Interior, backs the CSU's position, advocating for strengthened border controls and individual asylum rejections, as he believes these measures are crucial and lawful. He also emphasizes the sovereignty of member states in handling asylum cases, citing Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which assigns national duties related to asylum and migration to member states.
In past endeavors, Herrmann has collaborated with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to propose a digital refugee card system, aiming to manage refugee data and facilitate debit card services, though the system has raised concerns about data privacy and surveillance. The ongoing debates about migration policy and asylum rejections, both at the national and EU level, illustrate the complexity and sensitivities involved in these issues, with implications for European politics, policy-and-legislation, general-news, and international relations.
