Tutzing – ESI at podium discussion on a realistic and humane asylum policy

11 October 2021
Video: Evangelische Akademie Tutzing

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to participate in a panel discussion on “a realistic and humane asylum policy” organised by the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing.

Gerald weighed in on the issues of sea rescues, the reception of refugees currently stranded in Greece, and the likelihood of further refugee crises. In addition, he explained ESI’s proposal for a new, humane approach on borders and asylum, warning of the dangers of pushbacks at the EU’s borders and calling for more resettlement programmes.

He pointed out that the current situation of refugees in Europe has become anything but humane. He described unbearable conditions at European borders, such as in Greece, Poland, and Croatia, where people are pushed back by force and are freezing to death in forests:

“Human rights no longer apply at the EU's external borders. There has been a total collapse of all refugee conventions. This is why it is important to find legal solutions such as resettlement programmes, bilateral agreements, scholarships and legal exit and entry visas. Uncontrolled migration is politically dangerous, it has the opposite effect and stirs up fear of refugees.”

The other panellists were Joachim Jacob, co-chair of “Unser Veto – Bayern” (Association of Volunteer Refugee Helpers), and the coordinator of the Ecumenical Support Group in Tutzing, Claudia Steinke.