Potsdam as a role model: Refugee rights in the focus of city politics!

Potsdam as a role model: Refugee rights in the focus of city politics!

World Refugee Day on June 20th is just around the corner and, first and foremost, brings into play the voice of Amanda Palenberg, Potsdam's Commissioner for Migration and Integration. She urgently calls for solidarity with refugees, especially in times when migration policy measures increasingly rely on isolation. “It is time to defend the rights of those seeking protection,” said Palenberg. Potsdam officially declared itself a safe harbor in 2018, and that goes far beyond mere symbolism. Daily Mirror reports that Palenberg is calling for concrete measures to create perspectives and protect the rights of refugees.

There is currently a sharp increase in people seeking refuge in Potsdam. In 2023, 183 refugees have already been admitted, while the city has planned a total of 600 admissions for 2025. However, the numbers could rise as the state government requests the creation of 1,000 additional accommodation places. Mayor Mike Schubert and Alderman Brigitte Meier made it clear in a recent announcement that the influx remains high due to geopolitical situations.

New accommodation options

The city administration is currently working with social organizations on temporary solutions for accommodating refugees. Several new locations are being planned:

• Haus 2 auf dem Campus: 152 Plätze ab Juni 2023 für ein Jahr.
• Nedlitzer Holz am Campus Jungfernsee: Platz für etwa 480 Menschen, mit einer Inbetriebnahme im vierten Quartal 2023, Laufzeit bis zu 3 Jahre.
• Marquardter Chaussee: Erweiterung auf 80 Plätze, mit einer Laufzeit von bis zu 4 Jahren.

The existing accommodation in Potsdam is almost exhausted and finding accommodation in your own apartment is extremely difficult. In addition to the numbers already mentioned, a total of 2,700 refugees celebrated their arrival in Potsdam last year, which represents a tenfold increase compared to 2021. Potsdam.de further reports that the new locations will also have sanitary facilities and common areas in order to offer the refugees a certain level of quality of life.

Demands and human rights

The challenges refugees face are enormous. Palenberg sharply criticizes the erosion of the right to asylum at the borders of the EU and Germany. The Institute for Human Rights emphasizes that rejections at German border crossings violate human rights requirements and EU law. It is crucial that asylum seekers have access to a fair process and are not subjected to torture-like conditions.

The mere fact that there are illegal rejections and increased deportations puts general human rights under pressure. “Rejections at internal borders are not permitted,” warns the institute. Theoretically, the situation could even lead to asylum seekers being sent to Austria, which is not necessarily their responsibility. The institute therefore demands an individual assessment of the human rights situation for each asylum seeker.

In this context, Potsdam is expecting an exciting event on June 23rd in the women's center at Alter Markt 6. Under the title "Kurdistan in Focus - Experiences from a Delegation Trip", which Palenberg and the Interreligious Forum are organizing, there will be numerous discussions about repatriations and human rights. Admission is free and offers an excellent opportunity to find out about important topics.

Potsdam shows that positive change for refugees is possible in the community and through cooperation with social institutions. We are all called upon to show solidarity and develop the right feeling for the needs of these people.