terre des hommes demands a "no" from the German Federal Government to the instrumentalisation regulation.
Berlin, December 6, 2022 – On December 8, a decision will be made in Brussels on a proposed law that would legitimize human rights violations at the EU's external borders and undermine the rule of law in Europe. "The so-called instrumentalization regulation would largely provide a legal basis for the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers at the EU's external borders," said Sophia Eckert, asylum and migration expert at terre des hommes . "We cannot and will not accept this."
Together with numerous other organizations terre des hommes is therefore calling on the German government to vote a clear and unequivocal "no" to the instrumentalization regulation at the European Union's Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on December 8. In its coalition agreement, the government declared its intention to "end illegal pushbacks and the suffering at the external borders." Now it will become clear how serious it is about this promise.
For years, member states of the European Union have been committing serious human rights violations at the EU's external borders. Asylum seekers are pushed back at the borders or detained in inhumane conditions upon entry. The instrumentalization regulation would legitimize this practice and lower European regulations for asylum procedures, as well as for the accommodation and care of asylum seekers, far below any minimum acceptable under human rights law.
“Asylum seekers could be detained for up to five months. This also applies to unaccompanied minors, families, traumatized individuals, and people with illnesses or disabilities,” said Sophia Eckert. “Whether Europe accepts this or ultimately chooses to respect human dignity and fundamental principles of the rule of law and human rights in Europe will be revealed in the vote on December 8.”
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