Gerald Knaus Slams Border Rejections as a Failure of Government Policy
Researcher on Migration Critiques Concept of Rejection Failure in Studies
Gerald Knaus, a migration researcher, expressed his dismay over Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt's decision to uphold border rejections. In an interview for the "5-Minute Talk" podcast, Knaus stated bluntly that any legal challenge to the government's border rejections policy will result in a loss for the federal government.
Dobrindt's persistence with the controversial policy took Knaus by surprise. He expressed his concern, saying, "Sooner or later, the SPD, who provide the Minister of Justice, must ask themselves how they can send the federal police to carry out something that is obviously illegal."
Monday saw the Berlin Administrative Court ruling that the rejection of three Somali asylum seekers by the federal police was unlawful. Knaus found this unexpected, given Dobrindt's intention to continue the contentious policy.
In his perspective, Knaus questions why the government would cling to an ineffective policy. He suggested that the government should focus on strategies that have already demonstrated success in reducing asylum seeker numbers, as promised during the campaign. Strategies such as secure third-country agreements in the EU-Turkey deal model, as proposed by the EU Commission two weeks ago, could potentially circumvent legal obstacles if promptly implemented.
Knaus urged the SPD, CDU, and CSU to expedite the passage of this legislation in the European Parliament. He emphasized broad EU support for this approach, which would allow for parallel negotiations and offers to commence as soon as possible.
SPDCDUCSUAlexander DobrindtBlack-RedBorder RejectionsAsylum Procedures in Third Countries
From a Legal Perspective:
The Berlin Administrative Court's ruling highlights the importance of processing asylum applications thoroughly, in accordance with both German and EU asylum laws. The court's decision underlines that border rejections cannot occur without a risk assessment, potentially breaching the Dublin Regulation requiring examination on a case-by-case basis. It also underscores the significance of adhering to the Dublin Regulation, with procedures being initiated at the border still permissible.
- Gerald Knaus, in the light of the Berlin Administrative Court's ruling, questions why the government continues to uphold their controversial border rejections policy, despite it potentially breaching EU asylum laws and the Dublin Regulation.
- The migration researcher suggests that the CDU, SPD, and CSU should focus on implementing strategies, such as secure third-country agreements in the EU-Turkey deal model, which have shown success in reducing asylum seekers and could potentially circumvent legal obstacles.
- Knaus emphasizes the need for the SPD, CDU, and CSU to expedite the passage of this legislation in the European Parliament, given the broad EU support for this approach, which would allow for parallel negotiations and offers to commence as soon as possible.
