German Federal Bar Association Condemns Threats and Intimidation Against Lawyers

Strategic Insights -

The German Federal Bar Association (BRAK) has issued a statement condemning threats and intimidation against lawyers, particularly after a decision by the Berlin Administrative Court (VG) declared the rejection of asylum seekers at the German border to be contrary to EU law. A lawyer specializing in immigration law, representing three asylum seekers, has been defamed by a right-wing media portal, nius, and her law firm's interests are being represented by a firm specializing in press law. The BRAK resolutely opposes such threats and derogatory reporting, emphasizing that it represents an attack on the rule of law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Berlin Administrative Court (VG) declared the rejection of asylum seekers at the German border to be contrary to EU law, allowing three applicants to undergo the procedure provided for in the Dublin Regulation in Germany.
  • A lawyer specializing in immigration law, representing the three asylum seekers, has been defamed by a right-wing media portal, nius, as part of an "asylum industry" that deliberately fabricated the case.
  • The law firm representing the lawyer's interests before the media portal has also been publicly attacked by nius.
  • The Federal Bar Association (BRAK) has emphasized that the defamation represents an attack on the rule of law that cannot be justified in any way.
  • BRAK Treasurer Leonora Holling has stated that the organization resolutely opposes threats, intimidation, and derogatory reporting against lawyers.
  • The media portal had previously reported in an inflammatory manner about the presiding judge of the Berlin Administrative Court, whose chamber made the decision to reject refugees at the border.
  • The Federal Bar Association (BRAK), as well as the federal and state justice ministers, had taken a clear stance against the media portal's reporting.

Statistics:

  • 1 asylum seeker case was affected by the Berlin Administrative Court's decision; 3 applicants are allowed to undergo the procedure in Germany.
  • An estimated number of asylum seekers is not provided in the source material.
  • A specific number of media outlets reported on the presiding judge of the Berlin Administrative Court is not mentioned in the text.

Sources:

  • https://www.brak.de
  • Berlin Administrative Court (VG)
  • nius (right-wing media portal)
  • Press law firm representing the lawyer's interests