CDU Politician Critiques Long-Term Responsibility of Churches in Asylum Cases

Recent discussions have emerged between Berlin and Hamburg regarding the practice of church asylum, with significant comments from a prominent member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Günter Krings, the deputy head of the CDU parliamentary group, has raised concerns about the evolving nature of church asylum and its implications for the responsibilities of religious institutions.

Krings has suggested that churches should take on long-term responsibilities for migrants granted asylum under specific circumstances. He emphasized that if churches provide asylum in cases related to the Dublin Regulation, they should also be prepared to support and care for these individuals over the long term. He stated that if church asylum prevents the deportation of individuals, then the churches should be ready to permanently house and assist these individuals.

The CDU politician expressed that the original intention behind church asylum was to offer refuge in exceptional cases, allowing time for further legal review. However, he noted that the practice is increasingly being used as a means to delay deportations, particularly in situations where another EU member state is responsible for processing the asylum claims.

Krings further highlighted a concerning trend, suggesting that there is a perception that humanitarian standards are only upheld in Germany, which he deemed a troubling and Eurosceptic viewpoint.

Conflict has arisen between the authorities in Berlin and Hamburg concerning a recent deportation case. Hamburg's mayor, Peter Tschentscher, accused his counterpart in Berlin, Kai Wegner, of obstructing the deportation of several Afghan nationals residing in a church asylum in Berlin. Mayor Wegner has refuted these claims, asserting that the responsibility for the situation lies solely with Hamburg.

The Afghan individuals in question were slated for deportation from Hamburg to Sweden, and the ongoing dispute illustrates the complexities and tensions surrounding asylum policies and church involvement in refugee support. As discussions continue, the role of churches in asylum cases remains a critical topic in the broader conversation about migration and humanitarian responsibilities in Europe.