Churches in Central Germany's Evangelical Church (EKM) extended sanctuary to 75 individuals this year, a considerable jump from the 50 granted last year, according to EKM spokesperson. In line with this surge, Saxony-Anhalt saw a spike in asylum grants, with 38 granted compared to 28 in 2022. Thuringia followed suit, providing asylum to 47 this year compared to 26 last year. However, the fluctuation of total church asylums depends on various factors, the spokesperson pointed out.
Currently, Thuringia shelters 23 individuals, including children, while Saxony-Anhalt offers asylum to 14 individuals, some of whom hail from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Russian Federation. According to Petra Albert, EKM's Migration Commissioner, the rise in church asylum grants persists despite a significant increase in requests.
Albert explained that as a church, their fundamental obligation is to intervene during humanitarian crises where the Dublin Regulation—a rule enforcing asylum applicant registration in the primary entry EU country—falls short, especially in family-related cases. Some individuals are reluctant to return to their home nations due to trauma and fresh ordeals.
The duration and commencement of church asylum are determined individually by the congregation responsible for providing care and support throughout the asylum.
Evangelical Church in Central Germany, home to diverse cultural hubs like Erfurt and Magdeburg, has shown resilience and compassion in offering refuge to asylum seekers. The increase in church asylum grants in these areas can be attributed to variables such as social and economic pressures, refugee and migration issues, community support, awareness, and advocacy, and regional factors. While the provided sources lack precise insights, these factors can serve as potential causes to explore.
- Asylum seekers in Erfurt, a city known for its rich heritage, have found shelter in churches.
- Economic struggles, lack of social services, and unemployment can contribute to individuals seeking refuge in churches.
- Changes in migration policies, an increase in refugees, and the faith community's efforts to extend outreach programs can motivate more people to seek church asylum.
- Advocacy efforts by the church, heightened awareness of refugees' plight, and local challenges like conflicts and disasters could also influence the number of asylum seekers.
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