Duisburg – ESI pulpit speech on borders and migration

22 September 2024
Duisburg
Salvatorkirche, Duisburg. Photo: ESI

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to give a pulpit speech on “What borders do we need? A humane migration and asylum policy is possible”, organised by the Evangelical Church District of Duisburg. In this event format non-clerical public figures address social, political, or moral issues.

Gerald stated that the EU borders are inhumane, arguing that a humane border ensures no one is pushed back without assessing their need for protection. He noted that nearly 30,000 people have died at the EU’s external borders in recent years. Gerald described the situation as scandalous, with asylum seekers drowning on dangerous escape routes, languishing in makeshift camps, and being turned away without proper procedures.

He also argued that since Germany does not have an external EU border, it must persuade other states to adopt humane refugee policies. He acknowledged the EU’s limited ability to enforce its laws against individual states.

Additionally, Gerald discussed the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement, pointing out that deaths in the Aegean dropped from 1,100 in the year before the agreement to 100 in the following year. He argued that the success of a humane, EU-wide asylum policy hinges on effective migration diplomacy and cooperation with safe third countries for returns.

Gerald with Christoph Urban
Gerald with  superintendent Christoph Urban. Photo: ESI