Granted Church Asylum: A Continuing Demand and Practice in Hesse
In the year ending 2023, individuals seeking refuge from potential deportation flocked to Christian churches in Hesse. Remarkably, some found the protection they sought at churches in Hesse-Nassau, with the Protestant Church granting asylum to 156 individuals. Majority of these asylum seekers hailed from Syria or Afghanistan, as reported by the church.
This trend of seeking sanctuary extended to the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck (EKKW), which granted church asylum to 56 adults and 19 children this year, originating from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iran, and Turkey. Daily requests for asylum flood the church, with regrettably, most of them facing rejection. The EKKW offers church asylum only when the risk of violating human rights looms if individuals are deported.
The Diocese of Fulda reported a high number of asylum seekers from Syria, granting church asylum in situations where deportation to a first country of entry posed potential harsh conditions, such as violent attacks or inhumane accommodations. Reports of systemic deficiencies prompted the granting of church asylum to those who had credibly reported such circumstances.
In stark contrast, the Diocese of Mainz did not provide church asylum in 2023. The diocese maintained that it adhered to the legal requirements of the state and stayed clear of any attempts to undermine asylum law or risk public safety and order by granting unauthorized asylum.
In the Diocese of Limburg, a few cases of church asylum were granted to individuals seeking protection against deportation to a Dublin country, which presented substantial challenges in specific cases. The procedures agreed upon with the state were meticulously followed.
Church asylum refers to the temporary reception of individuals who fear danger or violation of human rights faced with deportation. The Dublin procedure figures out which European state is responsible for processing the asylum application, with the country of first entry generally taking the lead. This procedure has led to some individuals seeking church asylum as a last resort in Turkey, fearing violent attacks and inhumane living conditions if deported to a Dublin country.
Related Reading:
- In Turkey, some refugees seek church asylum as a final safeguard, fearing the brutal tactics and harsh living conditions that remain a threat if deported to the first Dublin country.
- The Catholic Church in Darmstadt omitted from offering church asylum in 2023, focusing on constructive dialogue with state authorities to avoid weakening the asylum law or jeopardizing public safety and order.
- Reports suggest that asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Syria have sought refuge at churches in the city of Cassel due to concerns over violent mistreatment, imprisonment, and human rights violations.
- The Diocese of Mainz did not grant church asylum, insisting on adhering to the legal requirements of the state while advocating that church asylum should not be employed to subvert or challenge asylum law.
- The Evangelical Church in Wiesbaden, part of Hesse, facilitated church asylum in 2023, acknowledging Syrians, Afghans, and individuals from Ethiopia, Iran, and Turkey as the primary recipients, mainly due to the risk of human rights violations or physical harm in case of deportation.
- church asylum seekers from Iran gained refuge in Hesse churches amid concerns about immediate deportation to a country that could potentially violate their basic human rights.
- In the Diocese of Limburg, asylum seekers from Syria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Turkey, and Russia were granted church asylum in cases where deportation to a Dublin country posed a severe problem, threatening their safety and human rights.
- The Diocese of Fulda extended church asylum to individuals facing threats of deportation to Dublin countries characterized by systemic weaknesses, including instances of violent attacks, inacceptable living conditions, and inadequate medical care.
Source:
Insights: The demand for church asylum continues to surge in Hesse, with refugees seeking refuge in Christian churches. This trend is driven by the legal requirements of the state, as well as the individuals' human rights concerns. While some dioceses like Diocese of Limburg and Diocese of Fulda grant church asylum, others like the Diocese of Mainz prioritize adhering to the legal requirements of the state to ensure safety and order. The situation of asylum seekers from different nationalities, particularly Syria and Afghanistan, plays a crucial role in granting church asylum.
