Before the vote on the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) criticized sharply the plans of the Union and SPD. The EKD’s Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, Bishop Christian Stäblein, told the “Rheinische Post” that the primary criterion for any decision is the dignity of those seeking protection. He said the biblical tradition speaks of a God who stands by those fleeing hardship and guides them toward a new future. Accordingly, the EKD deems the proposed reform too drastic. Stäblein warned that the new regulations would intrude deeply into refugees’ lives and could even force families and children into special facilities with severe restrictions or detention, which he said contradicts Christian humanism and the Christian view of humanity. “Article 1 of our Basic Law applies equally to all: human dignity is inviolable, and every human is made in God’s image” he added.
At the same time, Stäblein supported Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s (CSU) proposal to grant asylum seekers a work permit after three months instead of six. “It is right that asylum seekers will be allowed to work sooner; I welcome the decision. Now we must ensure it is practically feasible” he told the newspaper.
