Germany extends temporary control on all land borders to ‘limit migration’

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

Germany‘s introduction of temporary border controls with its nine neighbouring countries has sparked a mix of political reactions and concerns.

Details:

Extension of Border Controls:
- Previously, Germany had controls with Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland.
- From September 16, 2024, these controls were expanded to include France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
- These controls are aimed at limiting irregular migration and enhancing internal security, according to the German Interior Ministry.
- These controls will remain in effect until at least March 2025, with ongoing debates about their effectiveness and legal standing.
Security Concerns:
- Interior Minister Nancy Faeser highlighted threats from Islamist terrorism and cross-border crime as motivations for the measure.
- These controls will be in place for six months, with a possibility of extension up to three years under Schengen Area regulations.

Political Context:

Immigration has been a central political issue in Germany since 2015-16, when over a million Syrian refugees were accepted.
The Dublin Regulation holds that the first EU countryan asylum seeker enters is responsible for processing their application, but Germany argues the system is flawed.
Racial profiling concerns are also being raised, with fears that random border checks could disproportionately target certain ethnic groups.
Rise of Extremism and Asylum Processing:
- The combination of extremist threats and migration policies complicates the situation.
- While asylum applications have dropped in Germany, bureaucratic challenges remain. First-time asylum applications decreased by 19% in the first half of 2024.

The Immigration Crisis in Europe:

The crisis peaked in 2015 when over 1 million migrants and refugees entered Europe, mainly fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. While numbers have decreased since then, the issue remains a critical challenge for European countries.

Key Policies and Agreements:

Dublin Regulation: This EU law determines which member state is responsible for examining an asylum application. Generally, it’s the country where the asylum seeker first entered the EU.
EU-Turkey Deal (2016): An agreement to stem the flow of irregular migrants from Turkey to Greece. Turkey agreed to accept the return of migrants in exchange for financial aid and political concessions.
European Agenda on Migration (2015): A comprehensive plan to improve migration management, including measures to reduce incentives for irregular migration, save lives at sea, and reform the asylum system.

Recent Developments and Acts

UK-Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership (2022)
- Announced in April 2022 by the UK government as part of its strategy to deter illegal entry and break people-smuggling networks.
- Key features:
  - Asylum seekers who arrive in the UK through unauthorized routes may be relocated to Rwanda for processing and potential resettlement.
  - Rwanda agrees to process these claims and, if successful, to grant asylum and support integration.
  - The UK provides funding to Rwanda for processing and integration costs.
New Pact on Migration and Asylum (2020): Proposed by the European Commission to overhaul the EU’s asylum system. Key features include:
- Faster border procedures for asylum screening
- Fair sharing of responsibility among member states
- Increased focus on returns for those not eligible for protection
Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (2021): Established by the European Parliament to investigate allegations of human rights violations by Frontex.