Senate Interiors Representative - Spranger initiates debate on immigration removals.
A contentious issue surrounding whether serious criminals should be deported to Syria and Afghanistan has sparked discussions within Germany's black-red coalition government. Following the tragic stabbing of a police officer in Mannheim, Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) urged authorities on Tuesday to back these proposals. She argued that individuals who pose a risk to public safety have given up their right to stay in the country and may face consequences, including deportation.
According to Spranger, "Anyone who stands against our democratic values must face consequences." Even in cases where the country is not a safe origin, she highlighted that the danger to German security outweighs this factor. "We can't turn a blind eye to the current security challenges facing our country." During a meeting on Tuesday, she informed fellow Berlin Senate members of her stance. "The Senate holds the same opinion."
Not all agree with this stance, as opposition extends beyond political lines. Martin Matz, the SPD's interior policy spokesman, voiced dissatisfaction with continuous new proposals. His view is that violent offenders should be imprisoned indefinitely and sentenced accordingly. "This should happen as soon as possible." Any Islamist deported to Afghanistan without remorse would likely return, he said, citing concern over potential punishments.
Jian Omar, the migration policy spokesman for the Greens faction, didn't hold back. "This is a phony debate because it's nearly impossible to deport anyone to Afghanistan without forming diplomatic ties with the extremist Taliban government," he stated. "Violent offenders should be sentenced and quickly incarcerated," Omar continued, expressing concern that sending them back to Afghanistan could result in their being recruited by the Taliban and returning as potential threats.
For the Left Party, Thomas Bartels expressed opposition to deportations to countries where individuals face a threat to their health and life. Assessing the situation in Afghanistan and Damascus, he clarified, "This is definitely the case, which is why deportations aren't made to these countries to begin with." He insisted that criminals found guilty should stand trial and face consequences if found guilty.
Even for criminals, human rights would remain a priority, Bartels said. "The protection of their lives and bodily integrity is part of this." Imposing further punishment on these individuals through deportation to countries where they could face persecution, torture, or even death, he believed, would infringe upon their human rights.
In preparation for the upcoming Interior Minister Conference (IMK) set to take place from June 19 in Brandenburg, Hamburg plans to advocate for deportations under specific circumstances, especially for Syrians and Afghans. Following the conference, Interior Ministers will request that the Federal Interior Ministry reassess the security situation in Afghanistan and in Damascus.
Andy Grote, Hamburg's Interior Senator (SPD), echoed this in a recent statement: "Anyone who commits serious crimes in Germany must leave the country, even if they're from Afghanistan." According to "Bild" newspaper, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) and the SPD parliamentary group are reportedly supportive of the Hamburg initiative.
