Berlin —
Germany said that under the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism of the European Union, it would no longer accept refugees from Italy.
According to a spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry, this decision was taken after Italy refused to accept the transfer of refugees from Germany, in accordance with the Dublin Convention.
The Dublin Convention operates on the assumption that asylum laws and practices in European Union countries are based on the same general standards, thereby allowing asylum seekers the same level of protection in all EU member states.
However, in reality asylum laws and practices from one country to another still vary greatly, resulting in asylum seekers receiving different treatment across Europe.
“Of the more than 12,400 requests for the transfer of refugees or asylum seekers to Italy until the end of August, only ten diversions have been carried out,” said spokesman Maximilian Kall. “That’s why we said that at this time there will be no further interview missions.”
Kall added that all EU countries were obliged to fulfill their obligations and that Germany would again accept refugees from Italy “as soon as a different situation arises”. (em/hour)
