Germany’s Second Attempt at EU Asylum Reform

Berlin (dpa) – The German government has approved two essential legal amendments to implement the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) in the coming year. The adopted draft states that CEAS is crucial for managing migration, safeguarding humanitarian standards for refugees, and reducing irregular migration. Germany is expected to benefit significantly from a balanced approach to responsibility and solidarity.

Asylum Seekers’ Reporting Obligations

The approved drafts also include additional provisions aimed at creating a more restrictive asylum process, as reported by the German Ministry of the Interior. Authorities will have enhanced capabilities to enforce clear residence and reporting obligations to ensure the attendance of asylum seekers, which is intended to facilitate an increase in deportations and transfers to other EU states responsible for processing their claims.

EU External Border Checks

The CEAS reform, established by EU member states in spring 2024, gives countries until June 2026 to implement the new rules, with previous regulations remaining in place until then. The reform mandates identity checks on arrivals, and asylum seekers with an EU-wide protection rate below 20 percent will have their procedures conducted at the EU external border and may be deported directly from there.

Criticism has arisen from the refugee organization Pro Asyl, which opposes the expansion of asylum procedures at German airports. Recently, numerous individuals, particularly from Greece, have arrived by plane after being recognized as refugees in Greece and subsequently applying for asylum in Germany. “The airport procedure is definitely not the right answer to this phenomenon,” asserts the refugee rights organization.

Integration Commissioner Supports Changes

Federal Government Integration Commissioner, Natalie Pawlik, has emphasized her advocacy for upholding the rights of vulnerable refugees, including families, children, and unaccompanied minors, during the implementation of the CEAS reform into national law.

A cabinet decision regarding the reform was made in November, shortly before the governing coalition collapsed. As a majority could not be secured in the Bundestag for the draft law, the initiative must now be revitalized. (September 3)