The British Parliament recently approved a plan to deport migrants to Rwanda for asylum applications. Following this decision, the FDP parliamentary group in Germany is calling for a debate on similar models for German refugee policy. FDP leader Christian Dürr suggested conducting asylum procedures in third countries outside of Europe to ensure clarity on protection status and prevent people without a chance of staying from taking dangerous routes. The British plan involves sending all asylum seekers who come illegally to the UK to Rwanda, with the African country receiving financial compensation in return.
In response to the British Parliament’s decision, the German government has promised to examine the possibility of moving asylum procedures to countries outside the EU. Chancellor Olaf Scholz did not comment on whether the British model could serve as an example for Germany, instead referring to existing measures to curb irregular migration to Germany and Europe. The Union has long advocated for relocating asylum procedures outside the EU, and initial results of the examination are expected to be presented by the next minister-president conference on June 20th.
In recent years, thousands of migrants have arrived in the UK, many fleeing war and poverty in their home countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They often take the risky journey across the English Channel in small boats, which is frequently organized by human trafficking networks. The British government aims to reduce immigration and fulfill one of its key election promises through the new law, which entails sending all those who entered illegally after January 1, 2022, to Rwanda, approximately 6,400 kilometers away.
Following the UK Parliament’s decision, at least five people, including a child, died in a chaotic situation on an overcrowded boat carrying 112 people in the English Channel, as reported by the French coast guard. This tragedy highlights the urgency of finding solutions to the ongoing migration crisis in Europe. The discussion around adopting a model similar to the British approach in Germany underscores the need for a comprehensive and humane refugee policy that addresses the root causes of migration, ensures legal certainty for asylum seekers, and prevents further loss of life at sea.
