Refugees, Asylum and Migration

4
(1)

Post photo: Refugee boat in the Mediterranean | © Pixabay

The sad end in Afghanistan prompts me to take up the issue of “refugees, asylum and migration”, which has not yet been dealt with at EU level. I already wrote about this on 30.4.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX with the headline "What is feasible in the relationship between the EU and Erdogan's "new" Turkey?" written. The last sentence of today's contribution reads: Can the often invoked "European solution" finally be achieved? I'm afraid it will take a long time.

Refugees, asylum and migration - still the big whining in the EU

The abrupt end of the mission of the Americans and their allies in Afghanistan makes one thing clear: it is not possible to want to transform a country with a complicated and completely different history and a completely differently structured society into a liberal democracy within a few years. The American President is probably right when he said that the era of “nation building” is over. The political and geo-strategic consequences of this are unclear. However, that is not what this discussion is about. Rather, I am concerned with a homework that the EU has not done for years, which can become very virulent again as a result of what is happening in Afghanistan: Since the refugee crisis of 2015, the EU has been working in its bodies on a European solution to the problem complex “refugees, asylum and migration .” Today, such a solution seems more remote than ever.

The many-voiced tugging is not worthy of the European Union. I see a deep discrepancy between the often invoked European values ​​and European reality. In the following, I will try to connect the complex of topics mentioned with the immigration strategies to remedy the shortage of skilled workers registered in many countries. Writes in the Heilbronner Voice of September 15.9.2021, XNUMX Katrin Pribylthat the hurdles for immigration to the EU countries are too high. Many candidates therefore prefer to move to the USA or Canada. (Heilbronner Voice, September 15.9.2021, XNUMX: "Europe is looking for clever minds"). In the associated comment - overwritten with "negligent" - goes Katrin Pribyl assumes that Afghans in need will sooner or later flee to Europe. “You will meet an unprepared community of nations. In calmer times, common rules could have been agreed after the EU should have seen the refugee crisis of 2015 as a final wake-up call.”

If you look at the election in Germany on September 26.9.2021, XNUMX, the question arises: is the topic of “refugees from Afghanistan” suitable for election campaigns? Actually, every politically relevant topic should also be able to be discussed during election campaigns. But I have doubts when it comes to the keywords “refugees, asylum and migration”. These keywords are highly explosive and emotionally charged. The issue has already become so heated that a rational exchange of arguments has become extremely difficult. It is often no longer about finding balanced and plausible solutions but rather about announcing prejudices that can quickly escalate into xenophobia.

I felt a little glee -- I have to admit that -- when the big whining started in Lithuania recently because of the autocratic Belarusian neighbor Alexander Lukashenko allowed several thousand refugees from the Near and Middle East to cross the green border. Little Lithuania had never experienced such a “rush”. According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung from August 27.8.2021, 4, 500 refugees are said to have already been smuggled in by then (sueddeutsche.de, August 27.8.2021, XNUMX: “How Poland allegedly defends Europe”). And - again I have to admit it - I felt a little more schadenfreude when Poland announced that it would erect a high fence on the border with Belarus. As a precautionary measure, it was announced in Prague that they would not accept refugees under any circumstances.  

The border between Poland and Belarus is around 400 km long, mostly without fences and unpaved. According to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Polish Ministry of the Interior stated on August 18.8.2021, 2 that this month alone (August) 100 people tried to “illegally come to Poland” from Belarus. The SZ report describes how the police did and the Polish military has been preventing 27 men and 5 women from Afghanistan from crossing the border to apply for asylum in Poland for more than two weeks. They are stuck in a forest near the border and are receiving emergency care from an aid organization. “We will not allow the creation of a smuggling route for immigrants through Poland to the EU,” said the Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszcak quoted, and the pro-government newspaper Gazeta Plska added: "Poland is defending Europe" (sueddeutsche.de, 27.8.2021: "How Poland is allegedly defending Europe").  

But my initial gloating turned into conflict when I read the following report: "The situation is desperate for the 32 people," writes the Süddeutsche: "Polish border officials in front of them, Belarusian behind them. They have neither enough food nor clean drinking water, many of them need medicine or a doctor urgently.” Once again, poor and driven people have found themselves caught up in the mills of big politics.  

On September 1.9.2021st, 1.9.2021, Poland declared a state of emergency for the border area with Belarus. This drastic step is justified with a “threat to the security of citizens and public order” (sueddeutsche.de, September 32st, 31.8.2021: “State of emergency with ulterior motives?”). In a state of emergency, the law becomes secondary. “According to human rights activists, border guards usually push refugees back across the border without them being able to apply for asylum in Poland. According to Poland's civil rights commissioner, these "push backs" contradict both international law and Poland's constitution" ... According to activists, the state of emergency is actually only intended to block access to the border area -- for example to the village of Usnarz Górny (near which the XNUMX Afghans are trapped) . Border guards and soldiers prevent human rights activists, priests or doctors from bringing the Afghans food or medical care ... (Excerpts and quotes from sueddeutsche.de, XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX: "State of emergency in the border area").

On September 23.9.2021rd, XNUMX, the ARD daily topics reported extensively on the situation in the Polish border area.  

Two thoughts went through my head:  

  • If the Eastern European EU countries had not blocked all attempts to find a European solution to the problems of flight, asylum and migration since the refugee crisis of 2015/16, they would not have had to take precautionary measures to complain about refugees from Afghanistan and build new border fences in 2021. The European Union could now operate with a coordinated refugee, asylum and migration program. But all attempts to do so have failed, mainly due to resistance from Eastern Europeans. According to all experiences with refugees on the southern flank of the EU, this is not allowed 
    concealed that some Western European countries also believed that they could live well without new regulations.
  • If the Eastern Europeans now request solidarity support from the EU in Brussels, let them be as modest as the member states at the EU's southern external borders - such as Greece, Italy and Spain: solidarity is in short supply in Europe! Watch how you get along! In a variation on the wisdom of experience, one could say: Countries also meet twice over time: warm greetings from the southerners to the Eastern Europeans.

In particular, the second idea, the refusal to show solidarity as a tit-for-tat for the years of blockades, would ultimately not be appropriate for the EU. One should rethink, formulate migration as an urgent task for the future and put it back on the agenda in Brussels as a challenge to the 27 member states: It is high time for a European refugee, asylum and migration program!  

But not only in Eastern Europe, but also in other EU member states, as a precautionary measure, weep about the developments in Afghanistan. Politicians of the Austrian conservative ÖVP already stated in mid-August: "There is no reason why an Afghan should come to Austria now" (euroactiv.de, 18.8.2021: "Austria rejects the acceptance of Afghan refugees"). It seems as if any future Afghan refugees are already becoming pawns in the political power struggle in some countries. "We don't want you!" apparently sounds good not only in the Czech Republic but also in Austria. The imploring formula came from Germany: “2015 must not be repeated!” This statement is probably also aimed at the welcoming culture of the time.  

If you look at these defensive reflexes from all parts of the EU, you have to come to the shameful conclusion: A European solution that is supported by all EU member states still has no chance. The defensive reaction of the conservatives, "2015 must not be repeated!", is ultimately also a criticism of the attitude of the German chancellor at the time. Merkel's statement: "We can do it!" is still not forgiven by some today. A study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy states: It was hunger and the lack of prospects and not the culture of welcome that made the refugees head towards Europe. In 2014 and 2015, the UN refugee agency UNHCR missed a third of its Syria aid because donor countries had cut their voluntary payments -- an austerity measure with a big boomerang effect. Thomas Kirchner, the author of a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung countered the “2015 must not be repeated!”: “Avoiding a repeat means: do it better this time, don’t make the same “mistake”” (sueddeutsche.de, 24.8.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: “Der Hunger drove them on").

The solution and help approach to accommodate people who have fled Afghanistan “close to home” in neighboring countries, for example Pakistan and Iran, and to send money to these countries in return is being discussed. The EU's deal with Turkey is a model for this. Apart from the fact that the EU is once again open to blackmail by autocratic regimes, as was the case with the Turkey deal, this approach does not do justice to the refugees who cannot or do not want to return to Afghanistan in the foreseeable future. Afghanistan will not be the place of “homecoming” for all refugees. "The checkbook alone doesn't help," overwrites Thomas Avenarius his commentary in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "As far as the Afghan refugee issue is concerned, the USA and the EU will have to come up with more than just closing down and waving the checkbook at the same time" (sueddeutsche.de, 24.8.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: "The checkbook alone doesn't help").  

It seems as if the calculation was made without the (intended) host in this approach. The Iranian government announced on August 18.8.2021, 19 that it would close the eastern border to Afghans because “the situation in Afghanistan is stabilizing.” Tehran must also take such protective measures because of Covid-18.8.2021; (quoted from sueddeutsche.de, August 23.8.2021, XNUMX: “Where the escape routes run from Afghanistan to Europe”). It sounds similar from Turkey. The headline of a New York Times report reads: “Afghan Refugees Encounter a Rugged and Unfriendly Border with Turkey” (nytimes.com, August XNUMX, XNUMX: “Afghan Refugees Find a Harsh and Unfriendly Border in Turkey”).  

From a British point of view, one could ask, with an ironic undertone, whether Boris Johnson is subsequently confirmed with its Brexit argument that it will no longer allow itself to be dictated by Brussels? London has announced that it will take in at least 20 people from Afghanistan (sueddeutsche.de, August 000, 18.8.2021: “London decides – Brussels talks”). Perhaps Johnson is pragmatic enough to see immigrants as an opportunity for the development of his country's economy and culture. The traditional immigration country Canada has also promised to accept up to 20 refugees from Afghanistan (zdf.de, August 000, 14.8.2021: “Canada agrees to accept refugees”). The EU has not yet been able to agree on an admission quota.

Subchapters: Demographic changes - What is happening in the immigration country USA?

Some Americans, especially the so-called white supremacists and nationalists, who babble about the superiority of the white race and represent the whites' claim to power, do not like what the first data series of the 12.8.2021 Census published on August 2020, 2010 reveal: you show a sharp increase in Hispanic (Hispanic; South American Hispanic), Asian, and self-identified as “mixed race” populations in the United States. This development, which is not least based on immigration, is driving growth in America. For example, data from the state of Georgia -- "a state where white supremacy has been enshrined in law and custom for decades" -- is an example of what is happening in other southern states of the United States: Previous census data already indicated that that the white population becomes a minority group. In the 59,7 census, the proportion of whites in the total population in Georgia was 2020 percent; In 51,9 it was still 12.8.2021 percent (figures and quotes from nytimes.com, 57,8/XNUMX/XNUMX: “Census Updates: Survey Shows Which Cities Gained and Lost”). Across the United States, the white non-Hispanic population declined to XNUMX percent of the total population. 

"The census shows the future more than the nation's past," headlined the New York Times another report on the figures. The political debates about shaping this future have long since begun in the USA. "The new data will provide state legislatures and electoral commissions with the basis to redefine electoral districts with the goal of winning next year's midterm elections" (nytimes.com, 12.8.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: "Census Shows a Nation That Resembles Ist Future More Than Its Past"). Beyond trimming the electoral districts, Republicans in the states where they hold a majority -- especially in the Southern states -- are busy using all sorts of hurdles and obstacles to keep non-white voters out of the polls. Texas in particular has become ingloriously known for such voting restrictions in recent weeks.  

Charles M Blow, a longtime african american columnist for the New York Times, describes the long-running agenda of white nationalists in the face of what they found staggering shifts in the American population: “They tried to reduce immigration by both legal and illegal means. They staged a propaganda battle against abortion and promoted "traditional family values" in hopes of persuading more white women to have more children. They developed a detention system that deprived millions of young men of marriage age -- a disproportionately large number of blacks and Hispanics -- from freedom." to say goodbye, although violence rages mostly in black areas" (nytimes.com, 15.8.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX:  Charles M Blow: "It Was a Terrifying Census for White Nationalists").  

This is a bleak interlude that offers little hope for domestic peace in the United States any time soon. At first glance, there is also little hope for a balanced and objective immigration policy, which had reached a low point with Trump's planned wall on the border with Mexico. But especially in those areas of the USA where racism and xenophobia are strong -- especially in the conservative southern states -- there are also completely different voices on the subject of migration. The New York Times recently reported on this. In the next chapter I want to explain these other findings on the subject of migration and draw a connection to the situation in Europe. 

Why rural America needs immigrants

“Rural America has growth problems. Trade and industry are in dire need of workers, but the local labor market is struggling and the country's birth rate is declining,” write two insiders of rural America -- the director of two local radio stations and a farmer from the town of Knoxville, Iowa. America's economy must be fueled in rural communities by wise policies for sustainable growth -- "immigration reform would be a major contributor to that" (nytimes.com, 21.7.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: op-ed by Robert Leonard and Matt Russell: "Why Rural America Needs Immigrants").

The two authors of this NYT article report from a fairly conservative region. Donald Trump received 66 percent of the votes here last year. They therefore have to deal with a common argument against immigration: Social security benefits are too high and people don't want to work, especially since Biden increased unemployment benefits... The two authors state very clearly: "This attitude is wrong ... The reason for so many vacancies: there are not enough workers.” Therefore, the Biden administration must facilitate immigration and simplify the process. "More immigrants will increase tax revenues and help stabilize Social Security."

A similar outcry to that of Knoxville, Iowa comes from Bentonville, Arkansas, a southern state that Trump won with 2016 percent of the vote in 60,6 and 2020 percent in 62,4. But -- similar to conservative Iowa -- there are also complaints in the Deep South that declining immigration is affecting economic development. "The United States, according to the 2020 Census, has experienced its lowest population growth in the last 10 decades for the past 8 years as the birth rate plummeted and immigration declined" (nytimes.com, 10.8.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: "Decline in Immigration Threatens Growth of Regions on the Rise"). The New York Times report also describes how immigration has historically contributed to Northwest Arkansas' dynamic economic development. The declining immigration figures are a major reason for the low population growth and could, in the opinion of the author of the report, have long-term effects. Business in the region hopes that President Biden will fulfill his promises and overhaul the US immigration system to allow workers to move legally to Northwest Arkansas and other regions where they are badly needed.

In the political struggle between economic necessity and conservative ideology, one clue in the New York Times report is particularly interesting: The Republican-majority Arkansas state legislature this year passed legislation that would who entered the United States illegally as minors with their parents) to engage in any activity that requires a permit. Trump had tried to have the "Dreamers" and their parents deported rigorously, but had failed. However, in July 2021, a federal judge in Texas overturned the protection of the "Dreamers" -- the political debate about migration is entering a new round in the USA.

The NYT report from Arkansas describes -- beyond the economics - how immigrants have positively changed cultural and social life in the region. In cities and communities, candidates with Indian or Hispanic roots, for example, were elected to the local committees. Hispanic grocery stores, bakeries, and auto repair shops opened. At the courthouse in Springdale, Ark. the first Marshall Islands translator was licensed and a Marshall Islands consulate opened. In Betonville there is a Hindu temple and a cricket pitch. The first Latino councilman in Springdale came from El Salvador at the age of 3, served in the US Marines, got a law degree and became a lawyer. "In order to thrive, the region still needs immigrants," he is quoted as saying in the New York Times.  

Lack of labor and skilled workers in Europe - and yet many reservations about the necessary immigration

The above descriptions and quotes from the USA also sound very familiar to us. "Population is stagnating", reports the Heilbronn voice on 22.6.2021 - "Fewer immigrants - more deaths" is under this headline. "The population in Germany has not grown for the first time in almost ten years," the Federal Statistical Office is quoted as saying; And looking to the future: "The number of very old people aged 80 and over increased by 4,5 percent to 5,9 million within a year."

Similar to North Arkansas and other parts of the USA, industry, trade and crafts in Germany -- and also in other European countries -- are intensively looking for workers of all kinds in order to advance economically or at least to maintain the current level. The head of the Federal Employment Agency Detlef Schele, said in an interview: “We need 400 immigrants per year. So significantly more than in previous years. From nursing to air conditioning technicians to logisticians and academics: There will be a shortage of skilled workers everywhere” (sueddeutsche.de, August 000, 24.8.2021: “We need 400 immigrants per year”).  

On July 22.7.2021, 2035, the Heilbronner Stimme reported on the first page about bleak future prospects in the Heilbronn-Franconia region. According to the IHK Skilled Workers Monitor, the shortage of skilled workers will also worsen here in the coming years: In 78, a gap of 000 workers is expected and this shortage will affect all positions and industries (Heilbronner Stimme, July 22.7.2021, XNUMX: “Den Companies are running out of employees.” Heiko Fritze gives the long-known hint in his comment: "Without moving in from outside it won't work." Heiko Fritze: "alarm sign").

First emergency call: Missing truck drivers in Western Europe

On September 1.9.2021st, 1, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on delivery problems at several fast food chains in Great Britain because goods and raw materials cannot be transported from “A” to “B” on time. Milkshakes are currently unavailable at 250 McDonald's locations in England, Scotland and Wales. The Road Haulage Association assumes that there are around 100 truck drivers missing. The cause of the shortage is due to a complicated interaction between Corona and Brexit. After the outbreak of the pandemic, at least 000 drivers - most from Eastern Europe - left the UK and are now finding it difficult to return to the UK if they wish to do so. The reason: Because of Brexit, new immigration rules have been in effect since January 10, 000: proof of English language skills, minimum earnings, a lengthy and expensive visa process - from the London government's perspective, long-distance drivers are not among the preferred highly qualified workers. “It is completely unclear how many will return to Great Britain,” writes the Süddeutsche Zeitung (sueddeutsche.de, September 1.1.2021, 1.9.2021: “Brexit is when McDonald's runs out of milkshakes”).  

However, long-distance drivers are missing not only in Great Britain but throughout Western Europe - including Germany. The Federal Association of Road Haulage, Logistics and Waste Disposal expects that we will have the same situation in Western Europe as in Great Britain, only with a slight delay. There is already a shortage of between 60 and 000 long-distance drivers in Germany. Every year, around 80 drivers retire and only around 000 come (tagesschau.de, September 30, 000: “There is a shortage of truck drivers in Germany too”).

Second emergency call: Lack of skilled workers in child day care

The Heilbronner Stimme reported in detail about the situation in our region on August 6.8.2021, 100. Accordingly, there is a shortage of around 30 full-time employees in the city and district of Heilbronn and the Hohenlohe district. 22,5 educators were needed in the city of Heilbronn alone. There is a shortage of 2025 full-time employees in Neckarsulm. According to estimates, there will be a shortage of around 200 educators in Germany by 000. This does not yet take into account the additional personnel requirements due to the legal right to full-day care in primary schools from 2026, which was recently decided in the Bundestag. (Figures from Heilbronner Stimme, August 6.8.2021, XNUMX: “Daycare expansion continues, but there is a lack of staff”).

Socio-educational specialists do not fall from the sky and can rarely be "imported" from outside the EU. It has to be trained here in the country. Only in the second or third generation of immigrants will there be graduates from technical schools and universities of applied sciences. Until then, the public and independent providers of child day care will try with all conceivable means to recruit staff or even "chase away" from each other. If Germany had accepted years ago that it needed immigration from outside, we would have fewer complaints about staff shortages in child day care today.

Third emergency call: Hairdressers urgently needed

Under this headline, the Süddeutsche Zeitung describes the shortage of skilled workers in the hairdressing trade on September 17.9.2021, 63. “The staff shortage in our industry has never been so bad,” the owner of a salon in Schondorf am Ammersee is quoted as saying. At the turn of the millennium there were around 000 hairdressing salons in Germany; Now there are more than 80. The associated staff shortage has a number of causes: The Federal Employment Agency has been talking about a “skilled labor shortage” for master craftsmen and masters since 000, but also that the profession of hairdressing is still under-reported among young women ranked in the top 2016. There are people interested in a career, but there are too few training companies. In July 10, there were 2021 unfilled training positions compared to 100 unplaced applicants. If the current shortage of skilled workers were compensated for by immigration, young people who cannot find a training position would have to look for other fields of activity. (Figures and quotes from sueddeutsche.de, September 200, 17.9.2021: “Hairdressers urgently wanted”).

What about the Skilled Immigration Act?

The Skilled Immigration Act came into force in March 2020; The main aim of the law is to compensate for the shortage on the German labor market by attracting skilled workers from countries outside the EU. Even the name of the law is so unwieldy that you can hardly pronounce it, tagesschau.de found in November 2018 when critically examining the draft law (tagesschau.de, 21.11.2018/80/XNUMX: "change of lane" - but only half-heartedly"). On a positive note, this law officially put an end to the slogan “Germany is not a country of immigration”, which had been in use for decades. More than XNUMX years have passed since the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany, until legal immigration to our country was regulated by law. However, the law comes two generations too late if you look at the forecasts for the labor market that have been available for a long time.  

As already mentioned, the head of the Federal Employment Agency, Detlef Schele, recently announced that Germany needs 400 immigrants from outside every year. The current figures for the Skilled Immigration Act still leave a lot of room for improvement. In 000, 2020 people from non-EU countries immigrated to Germany under the new regulations; 30 visas were issued in the first half of 000. The pandemic undoubtedly plays a certain role in these relatively low numbers. However, the MDR also mentions a number of points of criticism: excessive bureaucratic hurdles for qualified workers from third countries; The recognition of foreign professional qualifications does not work. A finding from the Institute for Economic Research in Halle is particularly interesting: “People are more likely to immigrate to Hamburg, Frankfurt and also Munich than to Leipzig, Halle or Rostock.” According to the institute, demand and demographics are important East Germany is a lot more dramatic than in the West. (Figures and quotes from mdr.de, August 2021, 25: “Broad criticism of the Skilled Immigration Act”). As early as 980, the DGB called for refugees to be specifically qualified in order to curb the shortage of skilled workers. However, the widespread resentment towards refugees led to the East wasting a great opportunity, said the DGB federal board member at the time Stefan Korzell the Chemnitz Free Press. Many refugees move to a western federal state after their official recognition. If things are made difficult for the refugees in the East, says Körzell, "they go where they feel accepted" (sueddeutsche.de, 28.12.2015/XNUMX/XNUMX: "DGB: The East needs the refugees").  

The connection described here proves the inconsistencies of some party programs and politicians' statements -- especially in East Germany. They drive the immigrants out of the regions where they are urgently needed -- and a large number of voters honor these harmful activities. Which is more appropriate: gloating, pitiful regret, or hoping that better insights may grow?

Only a "lane change light" in the Skilled Immigration Act

In the December 2015 report by the Süddeutsche Zeitung quoted above, two complicated areas of law and groups of people were linked, which led to heated discussions when the Skilled Immigration Act was later drafted: legal immigrants about the new law and immigrants about the right to asylum. Basically, it is about the question of whether refugees and asylum seekers can change lanes after the end of their toleration — if they actually have to leave Germany — and stay in the country via the rails of the immigration law. The SPD wanted to enshrine this "lane change" in the Skilled Immigration Act, but the coalition partners CDU and CSU rejected this: A rejected asylum seeker should not be able to achieve the goal via a second procedure, namely via the legal immigration procedure. As a compromise, something like a “lane change light” was written into the law, which, however, creates high hurdles for “lane changes”. The corresponding instrument is called “Beschäbungsduldung for two years”. There is a similar protection status for rejected asylum seekers, for example if they are in vocational training. However, this status is not certain; There are always deportations, for example when the situation in the country of origin has changed (detailed explanations at tagesschau.de, 21.11.2018: "change of lane" - but only half-heartedly).

Auch Detlef Schele, the head of the Federal Employment Agency, was asked about the “change of track” in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung with a view to possible refugees from Afghanistan. He expressed himself cautiously: one should not mix the humanitarian issue of granting asylum with the labor market policy issue of immigration. And yet Scheele cited arguments in favor of “changing lanes”: “The fact is: Germany is running out of workers. This gap could also be filled by people who receive asylum for humanitarian reasons. In our experience, the 2015 wave of refugees also included qualified people and many people with higher educational goals. And I believe: Most people do not flee their homeland only to sit in a refugee center” (sueddeutsche.de, August 24.8.2021, 400: “We need 000 immigrants per year”). One can formulate this more clearly: What sense does it make to deport the eldest from a family in Afghanistan, who applied for asylum in Germany as a refugee and was rejected, as soon as the situation there has improved, just to save his brother, who has a visa through the Skilled Immigration Act to bring them into the country? The German labor market actually needs both.

Refugees from Afghanistan - beyond the so-called local workers and other people in particular need of protection - have not yet arrived in Europe in significant numbers. And yet dark pictures are already being painted on the political walls. I had hoped that the European Union would do better after the experiences of 2015 and step up efforts to find a European solution. However, my hopes have dwindled after the poor result of the summit of EU interior ministers on August 31.8.2021, 20. “The interior ministers of the EU countries have signaled to possible migrants and refugees from Afghanistan not to set off for Europe. The group couldn't even decide to name an admission quota. Great Britain, on the other hand, has promised to accept 000 refugees” (sueddeutsche.de, August 31.8.2021, XNUMX: “EU does not promise any quotas for refugees from Afghanistan”).  

“Incentives for illegal migration should be avoided,” says the interior ministers’ joint statement. It is primarily about supporting neighboring and transit countries that host many migrants and refugees. Their capacities must be strengthened in order to create protection, dignified and safe reception conditions for refugees and communities. The German Interior Minister had already spoken out against an EU admission quota in order to avoid a push effect. The report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung does not mention whether the overall European concept of “refugees, asylum and migration”, which has been pending for six years, was at least discussed at the interior ministers’ meeting (sueddeutsche.de, August 31.8.2021, 1: “EU does not promise a quota for refugees from Afghanistan” ). The EU Interior Ministers Conference could not have demonstrated more clearly how big the discrepancy is between the often cited European values ​​and European reality. At least Germany announced in mid-September that it would take in 600 Afghans and their families. These are people in need of protection – artists, scientists, journalists and other “potentially endangered people”. Their names were included in a list from the Foreign Office - in addition to the local staff. However, most of the people in this group are not yet in Germany. The organization “Reporters Without Borders” welcomed the fact that individual names reported by this organization to the Foreign Office were also on the list. The organization “Pro Asyl” considered the number to be far too low, given the many cases that it and other organizations had reported to the Foreign Office. (sueddeutsche.de, September 15.9.2021, 2: “Germany wants to take in 600 Afghans plus families”). But at least: This was a small breakthrough after all the wrangling at national and European level. I want to address my disappointments in the next chapter.  

Who is responsible for empathy and humanity in Europe?

The title of this chapter came from reading an extensive report in the New York Times about the reception of up to 4 refugees by the small Balkan country of Albania. The report dated September 000, 13.9.2021 notes that 677 refugees, including around 250 children, have already arrived and have been accommodated in four- and five-star hotels on the Adriatic coast. A journalist who had managed to leave the country with his wife and three children remarked somewhat sarcastically: “We are luxury refugees. We go to the beach and see scantily clad women... For most people this would seem like paradise." But despite the great accommodation and care, the refugees are not in the holiday mood: "I miss my family. I miss my university. I worry all the time. There are so many questions that I don't yet know the answers to," a young woman is quoted as saying, who was given the opportunity to leave the country through a foundation and was encouraged to do so by her family; the parents and siblings had to stay behind in Afghanistan. 

The costs of accommodating and caring for the refugees in Albania are borne by various organizations and foundations. the George Soros Foundation pays for 135 people who worked for this organization in Afghanistan. Hard-hearted calculators might say that Albania, one of the poorest countries in Europe, is also “making a deal” by taking in the refugees. The New York Times report holds up a critical mirror to such naysayers: "Taking in refugees is the most natural thing," said the Albanian prime minister Edi Rama the newspaper, adding: "While in France, Germany and other European countries opposition parties are stoking fears about refugees to put pressure on the government, in Albania the opponents of the prime ministers have remained silent or even support the admission of Afghans."  

Albania serves as a stopover for refugees from Afghanistan until visas for onward travel to the USA are issued. Originally it was supposed to be a matter of a few months; meanwhile one expects a year or longer. The statement of the Albanian foreign minister Olta Xhacka: "The refugees who cannot obtain a visa to leave the country are welcome in Albania on a permanent basis" (nytimes.com, 13.9.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: "For Afghan Refugees, a Mix of Luxery and Trauma at Albania's Beach"). This makes it clear that there are other reasons for taking in refugees in Albania than “business”.

The deplorable European contrast program was delivered at the already cited meeting of EU interior ministers on August 31.8.2021, XNUMX. The Luxembourg Minister for Immigration and Asylum, Jean Asselborn, had – similar to the EU Commission – called for the EU to make 40 to 000 resettlement places available. However, the Luxembourger was born on August 50st. vehemently put in its place by the German Interior Minister: “Luxembourg is always represented in these things with very small numbers, and they should show a little more consideration for the interests of the main host countries. We have to make sure that we know who is coming into the country and that these people do not pose a security risk for the population in Germany” (sueddeutsche.de, August 000, 31.8: EU does not promise any quotas for refugees from Afghanistan”). For me, this is a shameful and at the same time dangerous statement: Once again, refugees are being described as a security risk. Not directly, but anyone who thinks similarly can draw the connecting line. 

In another article, the New York Times gives a clear answer to the question as to why the political leaders in Europe are acting so reluctantly on the issue of taking in refugees: they fear that -- as with the refugee crisis of 2015 -- there will again be an increased influx in right-wing extremist and populist movements. The NYT points to experts who say the comparison to 2015 falls short. "We're talking (today) about a few thousand and not hundreds of thousands who need help because they are on lists and have worked for us." Gerald Knus, cited by the European Stability Initiative. Elsewhere in the report it refers to the current slogan “2015 must not be repeated” and notes that Afghans in Europe will encounter an almost insurmountable “compassion deficit”; (nytimes.com, August 18.8.2021, 23.8.2021 / August XNUMX, XNUMX: “Why Europe's Leaders Say They Won't Welcome More Afghan Refugees”). The critical observers from outside do not give Europe a good report.  

It is also depressing and undignified that German federal states and municipalities were prohibited from independently organizing the admission of refugees. Berlin made a corresponding move in mid-August 2021 (tagesspiegel.de, August 24.8.2021, 3.9.2021: “Berlin wants to accept refugees from Afghanistan”). Thuringia's planned state admission program failed due to resistance from Federal Interior Minister Seehofer (sueddeutsche.de, September 31.8.2021, XNUMX: "Thuringia's state admission program fails because of Seehofer"). Reference was made (once again) to the need for a common European approach. The result of the meeting of interior ministers on August XNUMX, XNUMX shows that the commonality in Europe is primarily called “isolation”. We will have to wait a long time - if at all - for a constructive European concept for the entire complex of “refugees, asylum and migration”.  

A common argument has been heard again recently: Europe or Germany cannot solve the refugee problems in this world alone. True -- but nobody asks for this. The depressing thing about all of this is that Europe hasn't even managed to get even a start together.  

In the next and last chapter I want to explain what this new beginning might look like.

The "willing" must start first - "Enhanced cooperation" under Article 20 TEU would be one way

In an earlier forum post, I already complained about the tugging for a “European solution” to the refugee, asylum and migration issue. In my paper "What can be done in the relationship between the EU and Erdogan's "new" Turkey?" of April 30.4.2021, 20, I wrote, among other things, that a whole series of EU member states -- for whatever reason -- simply do not accept refugees, no immigrants, no strangers. The number of "sealed-off countries" in the EU now seems to have increased even further. As a last resort, in order not to completely shame the EU in the eyes of the world, I raised the question at the time whether “enhanced cooperation” under Article XNUMX TEU could not open up a solution.  

At least new member states would have to take action. Article 20 TEU provides in general terms: “Enhanced cooperation shall aim at furthering the achievement of the Union's objectives, protecting its interests and strengthening its integration process. It is open to all Member States under Article 328 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.” In other words: a number of Member States could develop and implement a refugee, asylum and migration concept. Other states would be free to join this group of “willing” later. This would not only add new dynamics to the discussion of the specific problem but also to the general integration process of the European Union. It is not enough to lament the failures of the last few years, during which the need to find a "European solution" was repeatedly discussed. To date, this goal has not been achieved.

In her speech on the state of the Union on September 15.9.2021, 15.9.2021, the EU Commission President also lamented the excruciatingly slow progress in migration policy. A year ago, the Commission presented a migration pact for the fair distribution of refugees between the member states. Results are still missing (sueddeutsche.de, XNUMX: "What the EU is planning for the coming year"). I think it is high time that some Member States took the lead. You could also - beyond the question of a fair distribution of refugees - develop an overall concept "refugees, asylum and migration". To proceed in this way would not be new for the EU. Not all member states have joined the euro as a common currency or free travel under the Schengen Agreement.  

Since my critical comments of April 30.4.2021th, XNUMX, there seems to have been some movement on the subject of the "European solution". The keyword was mentioned recently by two German politicians and also picked up by the media. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, the German MEP pleaded Birgit Sippel (SPD) in principle for the admission of refugees from Afghanistan. She referred to the EU Interior Commissioner ylva johansson, which argued that there should be legal access routes to Europe. Sippel spoke of giving up the attempts to find a solution with all member states. She made an important statement on this: We don't have to wait for all 27 states to agree on a solution. Some people have to take the lead.” And further: “Anyone who now absolutely does not want to implement the existing right of asylum does not have to count on the solidarity of the other member states, for example with subsidies” (deutschlandfunk.de, 19.8.2021: “Don’t wait for it that all 27 states agree on a solution").  

The Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock formulated similarly: “I would like us to lead the way with those states that are willing to end the suffering at the external borders and stand up for a humane and orderly refugee policy in the EU.” And they called Ross and Reiter: “We can’t do that long wait for the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ready to talk about European refugee policy. This is not a responsible European policy” (sueddeutsche.de, 17.9.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: “Baerbock: EU asylum reform even without Orbán”).

It seems that the issue of refugees, asylum and migration has reached the high European level and has also reached the public. Let's hope that it stays there and doesn't disappear back into the EU member state "Nowhere". Hope dies last!


How helpful was this post?

Click on the stars to rate the post!

Average rating 4 / 5. Number of reviews: 1

No reviews yet.

I'm sorry the post wasn't helpful to you!

Let me improve this post!

How can I improve this post?

Page views: 1 | Today: 1 | Counting since October 22.10.2023, XNUMX

Share: