Regarding the CDU/CSU parliamentary group's proposals on asylum and migration policy and the possible introduction of the "Inflow Limitation 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, spokesperson for the board of Terre des Hommes . “Rejections at the German borders are not only highly questionable from a legal and practical standpoint, they also undermine the right to asylum and endanger the well-being of children who have already experienced unimaginable suffering. Arbitrary detentions without individual assessment are also illegal 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 to strengthen the bulwark against the AfD, instead of making common cause with them. "The current political debate is mere showmanship during election campaigns and exacerbates the fears and insecurity of refugee children instead of promoting their integration," explains Hofert. "Children we support in our projects have often experienced trauma. What they need now is the proximity of their families, integration programs, 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 party: Terre des Hommes
For inquiries and interviews:
Wolf-Christian Ramm, phone +49 541 / 71 01 158 or +49 171 / 67 29 748
c.ramm@tdh.de