On April 19, I sent the following question to the Commission. The Commission again took more time than it should have to answer. In the meantime, Bosnian politicians have announced the end of the prison facility because there is no legal basis for it. My inquiry about the problematic wording of the commissioner Olivér Várhelyi is not answered by this …
moma duell: Abolish the basic right to asylum?
In the moma duell, I explained to Thorsten Frei, the parliamentary manager of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, why we cannot abolish the individual right to asylum. I consider this proposal to be unworkable and a punishment program for right-wing extremists. The eleven-minute argument can be found here.
World: „Better human rights in Tunisia and then there is money for it.“
In the conversation with the world, I talked about the so-called pact with Tunisia. It is about the terrible conditions in Tunisia, which simply abandons refugees in the desert. Cooperation with Tunisia only makes sense if Tunisia also respects human rights and we make migration agreements that include safe escape routes and work visas. …
European Parliament calls for sea rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea
Finally! In a resolution, the EU Parliament has clearly spoken out in favor of an EU maritime rescue mission. In addition, we demand, among other things, that information about sea rescue cases are shared immediately, that the criminalization of sea rescue organizations is refrained from and that ships are allowed after sea rescues in the nearest safe port.†I negotiated the resolution for our group and even if we have the …
Video: Presentation of the study on the criminalization of refugees
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.