In the debate on the handling of Syrian refugees in Germany, CSU’s Landesgruppenchef Alexander Dobrindt primarily focuses on rapid deportations of criminal offenders and financially supported voluntary returns. Syrian workers well-integrated into German society are to be given a perspective of staying.
“It’s now time for a roadmap for returns” Dobrindt told the Rheinische Post (Monday edition). “We will financially support voluntary departures.” Moreover, it must be the case that “if protection grounds cease to apply and, in many cases, the right of residence is lost, a return to Syria must also be possible. Those who have integrated well, are in a good job, will also have a perspective of staying. First and foremost, it’s about returning criminal offenders quickly” Dobrindt said.
In Germany and worldwide, Syrians are justifiably celebrating the overthrow of the terrorist regime of Bashar al-Assad. “At the same time, the new transitional government in Syria is campaigning for the return of Syrians abroad to help rebuild their own country. I think that’s understandable” Dobrindt added.
Sharp criticism of return demands from the Union came from the Greens and SPD. “With the immediate demand for return and this connected with incentives, the Union once again shows that it uses migration policy for its election campaign and disregards the reality in the Middle East” said the Greens’ parliamentary group’s interior affairs spokesperson, Lamya Kaddor, to the Rheinische Post.
“It are the same people who, 24 hours after the fall of the dictator Assad in Syria, demanded the return of refugees and did so already two weeks ago when Assad still ruled Syria and brutally suppressed his people” Kaddor said. She wishes all Syrians who want to return voluntarily that this be possible soon. At the same time, many Syrians have become naturalized and have become a part of German society. “Many make a valuable contribution to our society, their children are German, and they are building a life in Germany” the Green politician said.
“A report by the Foreign Office on the situation in Syria will only be completed when the current situation on the ground has changed for a certain period of time.” In particular, the security situation for all population groups and the human rights situation for all parts of Syria are of importance. “It’s still too early to make a binding and serious assessment of the situation in Syria as a safe country of origin” Kaddor added.
SPD faction vice Dirk Wiese also sharply criticized the Union for demands of a rapid return of the Syrian refugees living in Germany. “That CDU and CSU talk about deportations first of all, after the fall of the dictator Assad and against the backdrop of an still unclear situation in Syria, is shameful and cynical” Wiese told the Rheinische Post.
“The Union would be consistent in its stance if it would remove the ‘C’ from its name” Wiese said. Germany’s support should clearly be for the Syrians who have lived for years under the terrible regime – towards a free and safe Syria. At the present time, it is about supporting where this is possible and sensibly coordinated, the SPD politician said.