On July 6, we presented the results of the study âA lawless space – the systematic criminalization of refugees for driving a car or boat to Greeceâ. If you missed the event, you can watch it again here. The presented study can be found in English, German and Greek here. Borderline Europe has been …
Exhibition: "1000 Dreams"- Refugees portray refugees
At the beginning of the July plenary week, in cooperation with Witness Change and the Heinrich Böll Foundation Thessaloniki, I opened a photo exhibition at the Parliament on individual stories of refugees. Against the backdrop of the current debates on the reform of the EU asylum system, it is important to keep reminding that behind technical discussions on refugee numbers, distribution mechanisms …
Study: Legal vacuum – Criminalization of refugees in Greece
The study is available in German, English and Greek. The study, which I commissioned from Borderline Europe, analyzes the criminalization of refugees as suspected smugglers in Greece. Court proceedings last on average 37 minutes, with an average prison sentence of 46 years. Most people are convicted based on the testimony of one person …
Frankfurter Rundschau: Study on Criminalisieurng in Greece
A study commissioned by me at Borderline Europe analyzes the criminalization of refugees as suspected smugglers in Greece and shows how the rule of law is being undermined. The Frankfurter Rundschau has summarized the key findings of the study here.
Introduction of digital Schengen visas
In a vote, the Interior Committee confirmed the results of the negotiations with the Council on the introduction of digital Schengen visas and thus adopted them. The plan is to introduce a QR code similar to the ESTA system in the USA, which will replace the traditional sticker in the passport. A common EU application platform will be established to make the application and processing accessible online. …
Table Media: "The Geneva Convention on Refugees is under attack".
I spoke to Table Media about the reform towards a common European asylum system. I advocate proceeding step by step and solving concrete problems with individual changes. Otherwise, we risk undermining the Geneva Convention on Refugees. You can read the entire interview here.
Study on the criminalization of refugees in Greece
Refugees in Greece are declared smugglers and sentenced to years of imprisonment in questionable legal proceedings, because they are accused of driving a boat or a car. We commissioned Borderline-Europe to conduct a study to analyze the reality of the fight against smuggling and found a lawless space in …
Expert opinion: Council position on the CEAS does not meet human rights requirements
This brief report analyzes examples of why selected new regulations on the Common European Asylum System, as also advocated by the German government, do not meet the requirements of fundamental, human rights and EU law. The regulations on legal protection and the concept of safe third countries do not meet the requirements. A border procedure at the internal border is not possible, even at the external border such a procedure always …
taz interview: I want a better asylum policy
I had an honest conversation with the taz about the approval of the German government of the Council position on the CEAS – which I reject – and with which the Greens have lost a lot of credibility. But also about the fact that we have to fight for merhehiten for a humane asylum policy and can not do it with a divided party. The entire …
tagesthemen: „This is a very sharp tightening of asylum law.“
I have criticized the agreement of the Interior Ministers in the Council on the Common European Asylum System. The bottom line is that it is not really clear what will be improved. Overall, it seems as if the Council wants to simulate the ability to act instead of really improving something. You can find the entire interview here.