By Eberhard Diepgen
Anti-Semitic demonstrations and demonstrations against the existence of the State of Israel are worrying and outraged in Berlin these days. I am convinced that the Berlin police will act consistently but also with a sense of proportion against all related crimes.
Without a doubt, the current conflicts in Berlin and in many European countries have to do with the number of immigrants, their experiences and still existing family connections. Politicians tend to use strong words and look for individual actions and symbols that could calm worried and angry people.
There are demands and theses that make me wonder whether the authors themselves believe in them. Even before October 7th, efforts to limit immigration were intensifying with new unity. Potential immigrants should be detained at the EU’s external borders and the necessary procedures initiated there.
Because that doesn’t really work, controls are now being carried out at intra-European borders. After a long argument, even at fixed checkpoints. Otto Schily, former Federal Minister of the Interior under Gerhard Schröder, briefly and succinctly described the actual problem on television these days. If someone at the border can stammer the word “asylum” even halfway understandably, they are entitled to an asylum procedure – in all its long processes prescribed by the rule of law.
Short and medium-term relief is certainly not possible through these controls. In addition, it is not only interest groups that see legal problems with the EU plans for controls at the external borders.
After Hamas’ calls, it became clear in Berlin that greater immigration from crisis areas and contiguous residential areas for these groups could place a great strain on the coexistence of all people in the receiving countries. The police union speaks of fanatical, religiously motivated clashes. These days, the Middle East is the starting point.
With the many crises in the world, similar things can be imported from many regions of the world. Can we prevent this under current asylum law? In its origins it is not aimed at mass immigration.
The Chancellor has invited party leaders from across party lines to discuss the migration problems. I’m taking up a suggestion from Otto Schily. He suggests a review of asylum law through this initiative. It cannot just be about the provisions of the Basic Law.
Many countries have similar problems. I am convinced that we must not shy away from this review.