German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has ruled out a complete abolition of the asylum right, as enshrined in Article 16a of the German Constitution. In a recent interview, the Christian Social Union (CSU) politician stated that he sees no reason to question the fundamental right, but instead emphasized the need for a discussion on the European level about the future of asylum policies.
Dobrindt expressed his support for the concept of “third-state models” where asylum procedures are outsourced to other countries, as already implemented in the UK and Italy. He believes that such models can help to combat human trafficking and curb the flow of migrants.
The minister also reiterated his goal to end the control of Germany’s internal borders as soon as possible, provided that the external borders of the European Union are effectively secured. In his view, the control of internal borders is a necessary step towards achieving this goal.
Dobrindt defended the decision of the German government to designate additional countries as safe of origin, a move that was implemented through a ministerial regulation rather than a law that requires the approval of the Federal Council. He criticized the failure of efforts in the Federal Council, citing the reluctance of some states, including those with a green party presence, to accept the designation of certain countries as safe of origin.
The minister accused these parties of being unwilling to take action to address the issue of illegal migration, which he believes is a major challenge for the country. He emphasized the need for swift and efficient asylum procedures, which he believes can only be achieved by designating certain countries as safe of origin.