Only a small percentage of Germany's attempts to return asylum seekers to other European Union countries where they first entered or sought protection have actually succeeded. Such transfers are mandated under the EU's Dublin Regulation.
Germany submitted 74,622 requests in 2023 for other EU countries to accept migrants under the Dublin Regulation, which stipulates that asylum claims be processed in the first EU member state in which a migrant is registered, sought protection first or entered first. But only 5,053 people were actually sent to other countries, the German press agency dpa reported on Saturday (April 6), citing figures from the German government.
Germany only transferred 11 asylum seekers to Italy in the entire year, out of a total of 15,479 transfer requests. The most transfers Germany made under the Dublin rules were to Austria, which accepted 1,534 asylum seekers, dpa reported.
The data was obtained by the CDU/CSU, Germany's opposition conservative coalition, in response to a parliamentary request.
Germany, like many other European countries, continues to see anti-migrant sentiments from the far-right and its local population. The country is now trying to collaborate with the European Commission and other EU countries to improve the implementation of the Dublin rules, an Interior Ministry spokesman told dpa on Saturday.
Also read: The Dublin Regulation – your questions answered
How should the Dublin Regulation look like in practice?
In accordance with the Dublin Regulation, the country through which the asylum seeker first entered Europe is responsible for processing their asylum application.
The country must be able to register the asylum seeker. If the asylum seeker passes through the country without registering, crosses its borders and instead applies for asylum in another country, that other country would be responsible for their asylum procedure. For instance, if an asylum seeker enters Germany but is registered in another EU country, Germany can send them back to the country of registration.
If the asylum seeker is not registered in another country, they cannot be sent back and therefore can apply for asylum in Germany.
Deportations to other EU countries under the Dublin Regulation must also occur within six months of arrival in Germany – or else the asylum case falls under the responsibility of the German government.
Also read: German lawmakers pass bill seeking faster deportations
Why did Germany fail to carry out most transfers?
Germany failed to implement 38,682 transfer requests for various reasons, such as refusals by other EU countries to accept the migrants or because of individual decisions by German courts blocking such transfers, dpa reported. In 222 cases, the individual asylum seekers effectively resisted attempts to transfer them to another EU state.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament is set to vote on comprehensive reform changes to the bloc's asylum and migration policies, including streamlined asylum reviews at the EU's external borders for migrants hailing from countries with low asylum recognition rates.
Brussels hopes that the new rules would ensure responsibility sharing among member states in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and adherence to human rights.
With dpa
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