Migrations Stalemate: German Government Sticks to Tightened Borders Amid Legal Challenges
Worker safeguard proposal by the Commission: Harmonizing national laws to shield employees from cancer-causing hazards.
Berlin (dpa) - In the face of a court ruling and harsh criticism of its tougher migration policy, the federal government remains unfazed. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt isn't swayed by fears that federal police officers will be held responsible for their actions. "It's a complete fabrication to think that cops would be held accountable for doing their job," the CSU politician declared on the ARD talk show "Maischberger."
The task, he said, had been defined by politics. "And therefore, I find this assertion quite off-the-mark." Opposition politicians have criticized police officers performing deportations, claiming they are now put in a tough spot by the federal government.
On Monday, the Administrative Court of Berlin reached an urgent decision, ruling the repatriation of three Somalis at a border control in Frankfurt (Oder) was unjust. Without specifying which EU country bears responsibility for processing their asylum applications, they should not have been sent back. The three individuals were returned to Poland.
Police Must Act Legally, Not Personally Liable
The chairman of the Federal Police in the Police Union (GdP), Andreas Roßkopf, told RTL and ntv that it remains unclear if a general illegality will be established or if it will only affect individual cases. Either way, fellow officers must uphold the law, and they should not bear personal responsibility if illegality is confirmed.
Dobrindt initiated stronger border controls shortly after taking office as federal interior minister on May 7 and ordered that asylum seekers be turned away at said borders.
No Nationwide Impact: Chancellor's Office Minister
Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei intends to take the court ruling into account but sees no fundamental significance. "An administrative court cannot make a political decision affecting the entire country," the CDU politician explained on the ZDF "heute journal."
In this specific case, they will abide by the ruling. However, they believe the overall topic involves complicated legal material that may be resolved by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
The federal government will now focus on "meticulously specifying and explaining what the particular situation is that makes such regulation not only necessary but also essential." He attributes the need for such action to an "overwhelming migration burden," evident in childcare, schools, and healthcare.
State of Emergency - A Looming Question
While CSU leader Markus Söder argues that neighboring countries often violate European law regarding migrant responsibility, leading to a threat to public order, the Administrative Court has stated that there is insufficient evidence of a threat to public safety or order to justify a "national state of emergency."
Enrichment Data:
- Nationwide Impact: While a Berlin court ruling may cause legal challenges, Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei discourages seeing it as having fundamental significance, stating it does not apply nationwide.
- Coalition Agreement: The coalition agreement does not immediately change existing laws for migration policies, but rather outlines plans to implement certain measures.
- International and Social Implications: Experts warn that stricter migration policies may lead to diplomatic tensions and social repercussions, as they weigh security against humanitarian obligations.
Despite these challenges, the German government persists with its aim to strengthen border controls and aims to justify their policies as essential in addressing rising migration pressures.
- The German government, despite facing legal challenges and criticism, continues with its policy of tightened borders for migration, viewing it as necessary due to the overwhelming migration burden.
- In response to the court ruling in Berlin, the Administrative Court's decision is seen as not having a nationwide impact by Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei, who suggests that the European Court of Justice may be better equipped to resolve the complicated legal matter.
- While the CSU leader Markus Söder contends that neighboring countries violate European law regarding migrant responsibility, leading to a threat to public order, the Administrative Court has stated that there is insufficient evidence of a threat to public safety or order to justify a national state of emergency.
