In her keynote speech at the EKD Synod on 12 November 2024 in Würzburg, Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel pleaded for the preservation of the individual right to asylum, taking into account international law, EU law and the German Basic Law – both at EU level and within Germany. She warned urgently against the erosion of existing protection standards. Petra Bendel identified three “red lines” in the reform of the Common European Asylum System, which, if crossed, would violate existing EU law: the possible endangerment of children’s rights, the lack of fair procedural guarantees in border procedures and the impending abolition of the fundamental refugee law principle of non-refoulement to countries where there is a risk of torture, inhumane treatment or serious human rights violations.
Against the backdrop of the German debate on a potential restriction of the individual right to asylum, Bendel recalled that this fundamental right is anchored in German history. Instead of focusing exclusively on quota solutions instead of territorial asylum, the focus should be on creating legal access routes for those seeking protection. She also called for greater support for the countries of first reception, fair asylum procedures and comprehensive support for local authorities in order to strengthen social cohesion and ensure a policy based on human rights. She appealed for political and civic engagement to protect these essential fundamental rights and values.
The full keynote speech is available at: Impuls von Petra Bendel bei der EKD-Synode 2024 [only in German]
In her keynote speech at the EKD Synod on 12 November 2024 in Würzburg, Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel pleaded for the preservation of the individual right to asylum, taking into account international law, EU law and the German Basic Law – both at EU level and within Germany. She warned urgently against the erosion of existing protection standards. Petra Bendel identified three “red lines” in the reform of the Common European Asylum System, which, if crossed, would violate existing EU law: the possible endangerment of children’s rights, the lack of fair procedural guarantees in border procedures and the impending abolition of the fundamental refugee law principle of non-refoulement to countries where there is a risk of torture, inhumane treatment or serious human rights violations.
Against the backdrop of the German debate on a potential restriction of the individual right to asylum, Bendel recalled that this fundamental right is anchored in German history. Instead of focusing exclusively on quota solutions instead of territorial asylum, the focus should be on creating legal access routes for those seeking protection. She also called for greater support for the countries of first reception, fair asylum procedures and comprehensive support for local authorities in order to strengthen social cohesion and ensure a policy based on human rights. She appealed for political and civic engagement to protect these essential fundamental rights and values.
The full keynote speech is available at: Impuls von Petra Bendel bei der EKD-Synode 2024 [only in German]