NGOs Urge Germany to Oppose EU Asylum Suspension Plans

Why are civil society organizations appealing to the German government?

The warning came ahead of the EU leaders’ meeting from a broad alliance including Amnesty International, Diakonie Deutschland, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Brot für die Welt. They cautioned that a temporary suspension would mean individuals could be turned away at European borders before having the chance to explain their need for protection. The organizations argue that such measures would endanger vulnerable people fleeing persecution and erode the credibility of the EU.

Political pressure has accelerated across Europe. Governments grapple daily with irregular arrivals and allegations that third countries use migration to destabilize the bloc. Greece and several other nations have advocated for the legal power to suspend asylum applications during large-scale migration flows temporarily. Civil society groups contend these challenges demand increased solidarity and joint solutions rather than a dismantling of fundamental rights.

What does EU law dictate regarding the right to asylum?

Under Article 18 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, anyone located on the territory of an EU member state, including at its borders, holds the right to apply for international protection. This guarantees an individual assessment rather than automatic approval. Crucially, EU law strictly prohibits refoulement. This principle forbids returning any person to a country where they face torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or persecution.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has repeatedly reinforced these protections. In a 2022 ruling concerning Lithuania (Court of Justice ruling on Lithuania), the court determined that national legislation preventing irregular entrants from applying for international protection violated EU law. The Court of Justice has held that national security measures and public order exceptions under Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union cannot function as a general opt-out from asylum obligations. Restrictions must remain specifically justified and proportionate.

How does the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum change procedures?

The EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum became applicable across the bloc on June 12, 2026. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, point out that the new framework creates a more restrictive system tightly coupled with border control. Arriving individuals undergo mandatory identity, security, and health screenings at external borders before being channeled into accelerated border procedures or return procedures if their claims are rejected.

Despite tighter controls, the Pact does not abolish the right to apply for asylum, nor does it permit member states to shutter their systems entirely. It incorporates a Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation (Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation text) allowing temporary derogations—such as extended registration deadlines or border procedures—in specific situations like mass arrivals or instrumentalization by third actors. These measures require authorization from the European Council, remain strictly limited in duration, and still prohibit states from refusing to register claims or returning people to danger.

How are politicians outside the EU reacting to current asylum policies?

The debate extends past Brussels into domestic politics across Europe. In the United Kingdom, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage pledged to suspend the country’s asylum system for up to five years if his party wins the next general election scheduled for 2029. This political posturing highlights a broader international trend where parties challenge established legal protections in response to public concern over border management.