Published : 30-11-2016
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor warned that the November 23 verdict by the German High Administrative Court, ruling that Syrian asylum seekers should be offered only “subsidiary protection,” exposes these already vulnerable refugees to even more uncertainty.
“Under the 1951 UN convention, a person who is outside of the country of his or her nationality due to a well-founded fear of persecution is entitled to refugee status,” a press released by Euro-Med read. “Syrians had received this protection in Germany since fall 2015. However, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees recently changed its policy, awarding them only subsidiary protection, a designation that entitles Syrians to stay in the country one year (unless extended) and prolongs family reunification.”
According to the Euro-Med watchdog, in allowing the decision to stand, the judge from the German state of Schleswig-Holstein ruled there is no evidence that Syrians risk inpidual persecution upon return to their home country.
Euro-Med Monitor also contested the German court’s conclusion that Syrians would not face persecution upon their return to their country.
“To the contrary, Syrian refugees are very likely to be mistreated due to factional suspicions regarding their political orientation. In fact, there have been documented cases in which returning Syrians were arrested or forcibly disappeared, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,” Euro-Med added.
In addition to increased risks for Syrians who return home, those remaining in Germany are forced to live with long-term uncertainty, since family reunification is not directly or unconditionally allowed for persons with subsidiary protection. This has a particularly negative impact on children in need of a stable home environment, it noted.
“The longer delay in family reunification is equally as devastating. Knowing that family members are in danger is a significant burden on mental and physical health,” Euro-Med maintained.
Euro-Med Monitor called on the German Office for Migration and Refugees to comply with the provisions of the European Parliament’s Directive (2011/95/EU), particularly article 23, which affirms the unconditional right to family reunification—even for those with only subsidiary protection.
Euro-Med also objected to the German government’s decision to re-introduce security checks on its border with Austria, preventing hundreds of asylum seekers from entering the country.
Euro-Med Monitor called on German authorities to resist pressure from right-wing elements and maintain a just, compassionate environment for these vulnerable families and inpiduals seeking refuge from savagery.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor warned that the November 23 verdict by the German High Administrative Court, ruling that Syrian asylum seekers should be offered only “subsidiary protection,” exposes these already vulnerable refugees to even more uncertainty.
“Under the 1951 UN convention, a person who is outside of the country of his or her nationality due to a well-founded fear of persecution is entitled to refugee status,” a press released by Euro-Med read. “Syrians had received this protection in Germany since fall 2015. However, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees recently changed its policy, awarding them only subsidiary protection, a designation that entitles Syrians to stay in the country one year (unless extended) and prolongs family reunification.”
According to the Euro-Med watchdog, in allowing the decision to stand, the judge from the German state of Schleswig-Holstein ruled there is no evidence that Syrians risk inpidual persecution upon return to their home country.
Euro-Med Monitor also contested the German court’s conclusion that Syrians would not face persecution upon their return to their country.
“To the contrary, Syrian refugees are very likely to be mistreated due to factional suspicions regarding their political orientation. In fact, there have been documented cases in which returning Syrians were arrested or forcibly disappeared, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,” Euro-Med added.
In addition to increased risks for Syrians who return home, those remaining in Germany are forced to live with long-term uncertainty, since family reunification is not directly or unconditionally allowed for persons with subsidiary protection. This has a particularly negative impact on children in need of a stable home environment, it noted.
“The longer delay in family reunification is equally as devastating. Knowing that family members are in danger is a significant burden on mental and physical health,” Euro-Med maintained.
Euro-Med Monitor called on the German Office for Migration and Refugees to comply with the provisions of the European Parliament’s Directive (2011/95/EU), particularly article 23, which affirms the unconditional right to family reunification—even for those with only subsidiary protection.
Euro-Med also objected to the German government’s decision to re-introduce security checks on its border with Austria, preventing hundreds of asylum seekers from entering the country.
Euro-Med Monitor called on German authorities to resist pressure from right-wing elements and maintain a just, compassionate environment for these vulnerable families and inpiduals seeking refuge from savagery.
