Regarding the CDU/CSU parliamentary group's proposals for asylum and migration policy and the possible introduction of the "Influx Restriction Act":
Osnabrück, January 28, 2025 – The children's rights organization Terre des Hommes urgently warns against the planned tightening of migration policy proposed by CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz. These measures would have serious consequences, including for refugee children and their families.
"Refugee children and their families need protection, not exclusion," emphasizes Joshua Hofert, board spokesperson of Terre des Hommes . "Rejections at the German border are not only highly questionable in legal and practical terms, they also undermine the right to asylum and endanger the well-being of children who have already experienced unimaginable suffering. Arbitrary detention without individual case assessment is also unlawful and, above all, must never affect children and their families."
Terre des Hommes calls on all democratic parties to respect the rights of refugee children and strengthen the firewall against the AfD, instead of making common cause with it. "The current political debate is show politics during election campaigns and increases fears and insecurity among refugee children instead of promoting their integration," explains Hofert. "The children we support in our projects often have traumatic experiences behind them. What they need now is proximity to their families, integration opportunities, and a sense of security – not a policy of disenfranchisement and exclusion. In particular, family reunification for young refugees must be guaranteed. We say clearly: children and their families belong together."
To emphasize this demand, Terre des Hommes , together with numerous organizations, is calling for participation in a large demonstration in Berlin:
Courageous. Humane. Together. Rally for our Democracy, February 16, 2025
Protests for humanity and democracy are also taking place in numerous other cities, with Terre des Hommes groups participating. A regularly updated overview can be found here.
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Responsible: Terre des Hommes
For inquiries and interviews:
Wolf-Christian Ramm, phone +49 5 41 71 01 158 or +49 171 67 29 748
c.ramm@tdh.de