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UN reprimand: Germany is violating the social rights of refugees!
The UN Social Committee reprimands Germany for violations of social human rights in the case of a Syrian refugee.
UN reprimand: Germany is violating the social rights of refugees!
The situation for refugees in Germany is getting worse: The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has sharply reprimanded Germany. A 20-year-old Syrian refugee, who should have been transferred to Malta in the Dublin procedure, has come into focus. The committee called on the federal government to house him again and provide him with the necessities of life PRO ASYL reports. This is the UN Social Committee's first complaint against Germany for violating the UN Social Pact.
The young man fled to Germany in the summer of 2024 and lived with relatives. But the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) rejected his application for asylum and pointed out that Malta was responsible. Shortly afterwards, the district office in the Ilm district withdrew all social benefits and accommodation from him. Since then, he has had no access to basic goods such as food, clothing and medical care - his only source of support has been friends and volunteers.
Legal framework and withdrawal of benefits
In December 2024, the traffic light federal government passed the so-called security package, which accelerated this withdrawal of benefits. This regulation came into force at the end of October 2024 and brought drastic cuts in social benefits for refugees in the Dublin procedure. Minimum benefits should only be granted during a 14-day transition period and in cases of particular hardship. How PRO ASYLUM As it turns out, enforcement of this regulation is handled differently across the country - some authorities continue to provide support, others refuse it entirely.
More and more courts in Germany have already stopped the withdrawal of benefits in over 60 expedited proceedings. Even the Federal Constitutional Court is examining whether this step violates European law and the constitution. Meanwhile, the federal government argues that affected people could leave “voluntarily” to the responsible country, a statement that is not seen that way by all sides, especially since many refugees have had bad experiences in these countries.
Human rights in focus
The UN Social Compact guarantees important social rights such as access to housing, food, health and social security. This pact was ratified by Germany in 1973, and individual complaint procedures have been possible since 2023. PRO ASYL and the Thuringia Refugee Council are calling for an immediate end to the cuts in benefits and the legal abolition of all cuts to the subsistence level because they are viewed as inhumane and discriminatory.
In a broader context, there are also global political aspects to consider that could impact refugee policy. The United Nations Security Council, which plays a central role in maintaining international peace and security, is increasingly faced with the challenge of how to manage conflict and refugee flows. Each member has the duty to follow the decisions of the Council, which could also have an impact on asylum policy in Germany reported.
The discussion about the restrictive measures of German asylum policy not only involves legal questions, but also ethical considerations that affect society as a whole. It remains to be seen how the federal government will respond to the UN committee's complaint and whether the conditions for refugees in Germany will soon improve.