Karlsruhe – ESI presentation on migration to the Association of Judges of the Federal Constitutional Court

11 December 2024
Karlsruhe
Photo: ESI

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to give a presentation on “Is the right to asylum dying?” organised by the Bundesverfassungsgericht (Association of Judges of the German Federal Constitutional Court).

Gerald presented a detailed analysis of migration trends and proposed pragmatic solutions to tackle Europe’s ongoing challenges. He drew attention to the sharp increase in asylum applications in Germany and Austria since 2020, linking it to the breakdown of the EU-Turkey agreement, which had previously helped keep irregular crossings low. He noted that more than half of all protection granted in the EU over the past decade was issued by Germany and Austria alone, showing the disproportionate burden borne by a few member states.

Gerald called for reviving and expanding agreements modelled on the EU-Turkey deal. He recommended safe third-country agreements to sharply reduce irregular arrivals while adhering to international law. Coupled with legal migration pathways, these steps would deter dangerous journeys and save thousands of lives each year. He warned that the failure to adopt effective measures risks fuelling the growth of right-wing populist parties that exploit migration-related fears, erode democratic values, and promote harsh policies often ignoring human rights.

Finally, Gerald stressed that Europe’s response must include solidarity and fairness among member states, address the root causes of migration, and provide adequate support to affected regions. Without coordinated action, he cautioned, growing anti-immigration sentiment and human rights violations could undermine the European project. He concluded that solutions are within reach, but their success hinges on political will and strict adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights.