Germany Eyes Offshore Asylum: South Asian Concerns Rise

Germany is exploring the possibility of outsourcing asylum procedures to countries outside the European Union, a move that could significantly impact asylum seekers, including those from South Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.

A recent assessment by the German Interior Ministry examined three potential models:

Rwanda Model: Transferring asylum seekers to a third country (like Rwanda) for processing.

Albania Model: Housing boat migrants in camps in Albania while their applications are processed.

Away Model: Examining asylum requests in a transit country before the applicant reaches European soil.

While the ministry concluded that all models are legally possible "in principle," it acknowledged considerable practical difficulties and deemed applying them to a large number of asylum seekers "unrealistic." The report also highlights the immense costs and potential failures associated with such attempts, as seen in the United Kingdom's experience with the Rwanda plan, which cost taxpayers over £700 million.

Potential Impact on South Asian Asylum Seekers:This policy shift could have several implications for South Asian asylum seekers:

Reduced Access to Asylum: Outsourcing asylum checks could make it more difficult for individuals from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan to access Germany's asylum system. They may face challenges in reaching Germany to apply, or their applications could be processed in countries with less robust legal frameworks.

Increased Risk of Deportation: If Germany deems certain third countries "safe," it could lead to the deportation of South Asian asylum seekers to those countries, even if they face persecution or danger in their home countries.

Legal and Logistical Hurdles: The implementation of outsourcing models raises complex legal and logistical issues. The lack of clarity on how these models would function in practice creates uncertainty and anxiety for asylum seekers.

Stricter Scrutiny: Germany has, in the past, tightened its asylum laws and increased deportations, particularly for those from countries deemed to have lower protection rates. This trend, coupled with the outsourcing proposal, could lead to stricter scrutiny of asylum applications from South Asian countries.

Dependence on Country of Origin Information: Germany's asylum decisions rely on information about the applicant's country of origin. If this information is not accurate or up-to-date, it could negatively impact the outcome of asylum claims from South Asian individuals.

It is important to note that Germany has also signed migration agreements with countries like India, focusing on facilitating mobility for students and skilled workers. However, these agreements do not address the concerns surrounding asylum seekers and the potential impact of outsourcing asylum checks.