Brandenburg Establishes Dublin Center for Refugees in Cooperation with the Federal Government
Brandenburg, in collaboration with the federal government, is setting up a Dublin center for refugees in Eisenhüttenstadt, located at the Polish border. The aim is to expedite the return of individuals whose asylum procedures fall under the Dublin regulations to the responsible EU member state.
"We have volunteered to establish such a Dublin center in Eisenhüttenstadt," Brandenburg’s Minister of the Interior, Katrin Lange (SPD), informed dpa during a visit to the Oder island of Küstrin-Kietz. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) and Lange will sign an agreement in Potsdam on Monday afternoon to formalize the plan and provide further details.
The Dublin center will facilitate the rapid transfer of asylum seekers to the relevant EU member states where they initially entered the European Union. Hamburg will also establish a Dublin center, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
"Dublin works more right than wrong," said Lange. "That’s why the federal government has initiated optimization procedures." Eisenhüttenstadt already serves as the location for an initial reception center for asylum seekers.
Dublin Procedures for Determining Asylum Responsibility
The Dublin procedure determines which European state is responsible for processing an asylum application. Typically, this is the country where the refugee first entered EU territory. However, in practice, the return of refugees to the designated EU country often encounters challenges.
"The number of cases where a Dublin transfer is not carried out is far too high," acknowledged Faeser. "The establishment of Dublin centers is an important step towards improving the implementation of the Dublin procedure."
Dublin Optimizations Aim to Expedite Transfers
The federal government has initiated optimization measures to streamline the Dublin process and reduce delays in asylum decisions. These measures include:
- Establishing Dublin centers in major cities, such as Hamburg and Eisenhüttenstadt
- Increasing the number of staff responsible for Dublin procedures
- Improving cooperation between EU member states
- Providing clear and timely information to asylum seekers about their rights and responsibilities
Improved Conditions for Asylum Seekers
The Dublin center in Eisenhüttenstadt will provide improved conditions for asylum seekers, including:
- Adequate accommodation
- Access to legal advice and social services
- Support during the return process
By optimizing the Dublin procedure, the federal government and the state of Brandenburg aim to ensure that asylum seekers are treated fairly and humanely while upholding the principle of shared responsibility for asylum seekers within the European Union.
