- Numerous expulsions encounter difficulties.
In the Rhineland-Palatinate region, numerous attempted relocations or alleged moves to other EU countries have experienced setbacks for various reasons. The Integration Ministry in Mainz reported 381 instances of failed relocations in the first half of 2024. In 270 instances, the individuals could not be located, resistance caused the failed transfer in 17 cases, and 94 people were unable to be moved for other reasons.
This is significantly less than the 671 individuals who left (2023: 1,178) between January and June this year. This number included 395 relocations or moves and 276 voluntary departures.
The topic of unsuccessful relocations or moves has sparked debate following a fatal stabbing in Solingen. Last Friday, a city festival in North Rhine-Westphalia saw three individuals stabbed to death with a knife. Eight people, including four seriously injured, were also affected.
The alleged perpetrator is a 26-year-old Syrian who entered Germany through Bulgaria at the end of 2022. According to EU asylum regulations, he should have been transferred to Bulgaria. However, this did not occur because he was not present on the scheduled day in June 2023.
The basis for EU transfers is the Dublin-III Regulation, which states that asylum seekers should be brought to the country they first entered in Europe.
The Ministry of Integration in Mainz acknowledged that Dublin transfers are not always feasible in every situation. Minister Katharina Binz (Greens) has called for an urgent reform of the system in SWR.
The debates surrounding unsuccessful relocations intensified after the tragic stabbing incident in Solingen. Despite being required to be transferred according to EU asylum regulations due to entering Germany through Bulgaria, the alleged perpetrator, a 26-year-old Syrian, evaded deportation due to his absence on the scheduled day, leading to a failed Dublin transfer.
