A prominent human rights advocate and founder of the Russian organization Memorial, Irina Sherbakova, has voiced criticism regarding the German government’s decision to suspend federal admission programs for individuals from countries like Afghanistan and consequently cease issuing visas to political dissidents from Russia and Belarus.
Sherbakova described the move as “absolutely inexplicable” asserting that it specifically targets political emigrants. She highlighted that only 3,000 individuals had utilized the visa program thus far and these applicants were self-funded, suggesting a minimal strain on resources. She emphasized that the decision effectively removes another potential pathway for emigration.
Marco Fieber, Managing Director of the non-governmental organization Libereco, which supports individuals seeking protection from Belarus, stated that the suspension of federal admission programs endangers lives within Belarus. He cited the prolonged detention and deteriorating health of recently-released opposition figure Sergei Tikhanovsky – who lost nearly half of his body weight while imprisoned – as an example of the harsh realities faced by dissidents. Fieber stressed that such cases are not isolated occurrences and that the pressure on opposition figures within Belarus remains intense. Accepting individuals into Germany offers a viable escape from persecution.
Libereco has facilitated the acquisition of 17 humanitarian visas from July 2024 until the present, with the most recent approvals occurring in March. Two further cases have stalled since April. While the Foreign Office has been supportive, the Ministry of the Interior is reportedly causing delays.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that, since May 2022, 2,490 Russian citizens and since March 2021, 410 Belarusian citizens have been admitted under Paragraph 22 of the Residence Act. The governing coalition – comprised of the SPD and Union parties – agreed to end voluntary federal admission programs and the government is currently examining how to implement this agreement. The spokesperson stated that until a decision is reached, all relevant procedures are suspended to safeguard the political interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. This suspension affects both the initiation of new admissions and the issuance of visas-except in urgent cases. Exceptions may be granted only in particularly exceptional individual cases.