Bundestag Approves Bill Amending German Asylum Law to Align with EU Reforms
27 November 2024
The German Bundestag has passed a bill to amend the country’s asylum law, bringing it into line with reforms to the European Union’s Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The bill, entitled “20/13963: Draft Law on Adapting National Law to the Reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS Adaptation Act),” was approved on November 27, 2024, with 397 votes in favor, 236 against, and 3 abstentions.
The bill implements several key changes to German asylum law, including:
- Expanding the definition of “safe country of origin”: The bill adds Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey to the list of countries considered “safe countries of origin.” This means that asylum applications from nationals of these countries will be subject to accelerated processing and will have a lower chance of success.
- Introducing a “fast-track” procedure for asylum applications: The bill creates a new “fast-track” procedure for asylum applications from nationals of countries with a low recognition rate. This procedure will be designed to expedite the processing of applications and to reduce the backlog of cases.
- Strengthening the role of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF): The bill gives BAMF additional powers to determine the authenticity of travel documents and to conduct interviews with asylum seekers. It also allows BAMF to make decisions on asylum applications without the involvement of a court.
The bill is part of a broader effort by the German government to reform its asylum system and to reduce the number of asylum seekers entering the country. In recent years, Germany has seen a sharp increase in the number of asylum applications, with over 1 million people seeking asylum in the country in 2015. The government has argued that the reforms contained in the CEAS Adaptation Act are necessary to ensure the integrity of the asylum system and to prevent abuse.
The bill has been criticized by some human rights groups, who argue that it will make it more difficult for genuine refugees to obtain asylum in Germany. However, the government has defended the bill, arguing that it is necessary to strike a balance between protecting the rights of refugees and ensuring the security of the country.
The CEAS Adaptation Act is expected to come into force in early 2025.
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