Demonstration held at Federal Police headquarters over contested asylum laws
In the heart of Potsdam, activists from the group "Lebenslaute" have been occupying the construction site of the new Federal Police Headquarters, playing music as part of their demonstration against German border rejections and asylum policies. The police have filed charges of trespassing and violating assembly laws, but the activists show no signs of immediate resolution.
The current asylum regime in Germany has been marked by a series of significant changes under the center-right government led by Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Dobrindt. The policies, which include tightening border controls and asylum procedures, have led to a freeze and reduction of refugee resettlements and intake, as well as an increase in deportations and border controls [1][4][5].
One of the most controversial measures has been the implementation of a border pushback policy in May 2025, which enforces systematic denial of entry to asylum seekers transiting through EU countries considered safe. This measure has been justified by government claims of "uncontrolled secondary migration" and attempts to curb hybrid tactics thought to be used by Russia and Belarus via migration flows [2].
However, these stricter policies have provoked legal challenges and human rights criticisms. For example, Somali nationals denied entry and pushed back to Poland contested the legality of these actions, highlighting conflicts between German national rules, EU asylum obligations (Dublin Regulation), and international human rights protections [2]. Additionally, suspended resettlement agreements have led over 50 families to sue the German government because of revoked promises to admit refugees who had long prepared to move to Germany, causing psychological and material harm [1].
The protests at the Federal Police Headquarters in Potsdam are emblematic of growing civil society opposition to the government’s hardline asylum stance and the humanitarian consequences for refugees stranded or forcibly returned [2]. Despite the police's claims that a group with banners had gained unauthorized access, the activists' actions at the construction site have not resulted in any significant disruptions to the construction process as of the current context.
The Federal Police remains deployed at the borders to control irregular migration. As the activists continue their protest, no new statements have been made by the police about the ongoing occupation or further charges filed. The activists' actions are still considered illegal according to the police, but the group shows no signs of backing down.
References:
[1] "Germany's Asylum Policies: A Sharp Turn to the Right." The Guardian, 1 June 2025.
[2] "Germany's Border Pushbacks: A Human Rights Crisis." Amnesty International, 15 June 2025.
[3] "Asylum Applications in Germany Drop Sharply in 2025." Deutsche Welle, 30 September 2025.
[4] "Germany Accelerates Deportations Amidst Asylum Crisis." BBC News, 1 October 2025.
[5] "Germany Extends Border Controls Beyond September 2025." The New York Times, 15 October 2025.
- The current asylum policies in Germany, led by the center-right government under Friedrich Merz and Dobrindt, have been criticized for their strict measures such as border control tightening, asylum procedure adjustments, and deportation increase, which have led to legal challenges and human rights concerns over their compliance with EU asylum obligations and international human rights protections.
- Amidst the ongoing controversial asylum policies and increased border controls, protests against the government's hardline stance towards refugees have arisen, with activists like "Lebenslaute" occupying the construction site of the new Federal Police Headquarters in Potsdam, demonstrating against German border rejections and asylum policies that they deem inhumane.
