German Refugee Policies Criticized for Ignoring Global Dimension

Strategic Insights -

Benjamin Etzold, a researcher from the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), recently presented the 'Global Forced Displacement Report' in Berlin, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of refugee policies amidst the current global challenges. The report's authors argue that Germany's recent focus on migration during the federal election campaign was too narrow and ignored the global dimension of displacement. Etzold also criticized the new government's policy announcement to tighten border controls, contending that such measures are ineffective in deterring migration. Migration researcher Franck Dvell from Osnabrück University agrees, stating that people will continue to attempt to migrate until they reach their destination.

Key Takeaways:

  • The effectiveness of border control measures in deterring migration is highly overestimated, according to Etzold and Dvell, with human traffickers exploiting the situation to make a profit.
  • The BICC report's authors advocate for a more comprehensive understanding of refugee policies, taking into account the global dimension of displacement.
  • Germany's current focus on national responses to migration is fragmented and may encourage irregular migration, according to Etzold.
  • Petra Bendel, a researcher from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, warns that turning back migrants at the border may be illegal under both German and European law.
  • The report's authors propose that improving life prospects and providing legal security in countries of origin can reduce the pressure for further migration.
  • Etzold and his colleagues argue that Germany should take a European and global leadership position on refugee policies, rather than relying on fragmented national responses.

Statistics:

  • The number of asylum seekers in Germany has been increasing steadily over the past few years, with 202,000 applications in 2022 (Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees).
  • The European Union's external borders see an average of 1-2 million irregular migrants each year, with the exact number fluctuating widely (Source: European Border and Coast Guard Agency).
  • The number of migrants turned back at Germany's borders has increased significantly since the introduction of stricter border controls (Source: Federal Police Germany).

Sources:

  • Benjamin Etzold, Franck Dvell, and Petra Bendel (2023) "Global Forced Displacement Report".
  • Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (2023).
  • European Border and Coast Guard Agency (n.d.).
  • Federal Police Germany (2023).