Annual Demand for Church Protection Persists in Hesse
In 2023, the year drew to a close with refugees seeking sanctuary from deportation at Christian churches throughout Hesse. The Protestant Church in Hesse-Nassau provided temporary refuge, known as church asylum, in 156 instances. Syrians and Afghans made up the majority of those granted protection, as they faced potential deportation to Bulgaria and Croatia, nations shrouded in reports of severe mistreatment, imprisonment, and humiliation.
The Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (EKKW) took in 56 adults and 19 children seeking refuge, hailing from Syria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iran, and Turkey. The regions of origin fluctuate for those fortunate enough to receive church asylum, with varying requests made daily. Unfortunately, most requests fail to meet the requirements for protection.
Living under the specter of deportation, the diocese of Fulda observed a surge of Syrian refugees seeking church asylum. Granting it in instances where deportation would threaten individuals with harm, the church-sanctioned protection became essential. Although no exact figures were available, the church acknowledged that these circumstances made asylum warranted.
The diocese of Mainz, on the other hand, turned away every request for church asylum in 2023. Heeding the legal requirements introduced by the state, the Catholic Church maintained its stance that church asylum should not undermine or endanger the state asylum law or public safety. Instead, open communication channels poised to bridge the gap between church and state authorities ensured a more orderly and fair approach to the sensitive matter.
In the diocese of Limburg, both families and individuals sought refuge, hailing from Syria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Russia. Confronting the possibility of deportation to countries associated with distinct hardships afflicted each person, church asylum became a last resort. Lengthy procedures and stringent adherence to the agreement made between the church and state authorities ensured order and lent legitimacy to the process.
Enrichment
While church asylum remains a priority for those seeking refuge, various European entities weigh in on the ongoing conflict between humanitarian duty and national security. The Evangelical and Catholicurches in Germany vehemently criticize the proposed stricter immigration law (Source: [1]) and pen a joint letter to members of parliament, advocating for better mental health care, improved information-sharing, and upholding the importance of family reunification (Source: [1]).
Britain's Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK) assesses the country's proposed immigration law, which aims to combat people-smuggling but fails to construct a fair and humane asylum system, according to JRS UK (Source: [2]). Carrying Pope Francis's message, he emphasizes the essentiality of recognizing human dignity and promoting welcome and hope for refugees (Source: [2]).
A troubling trend emerges in European countries, concerning the safety and support of LGBTI asylum seekers. Germany, Ireland, and Sweden record instances of denied asylum claims despite perilous life circumstances. The European Parliament responded by addressing the rise of hate speech and hate crimes against LGBTI individuals, adopting measures to combat and combat AI biases that fuel prejudices and harness harmonized EU-wide methods to curtail hate speech (Source: [3]).
Hesse, Germany, is not an exception. The churches and faith leaders advocate for more compassionate immigration policies, mirroring the concerns expressed by the broader German church community (Source: [3]).
In conclusion, while church asylum remains a critical issue in Hesse, it is a matter of concern for many European countries. Churches and faith leaders nationwide encourage inclusive and humane policies that recognize the dignity and rights of refugees and migrants.
