German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced plans to increase deportations of rejected asylum seekers and introduced new asset‑based aid rules for Ukrainian refugees, sparking debate on Europe’s Human Rights Convention.
Fewer Restrictions on Deportations
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government intends to boost deportations of rejected asylum seekers. He outlined plans to open new channels for returning a larger number of applicants, noting that models involving third countries could be an option. Dobrindt also announced the removal of the “connecting element” that had required a migrant to maintain a personal link to a third country before deportation, creating new possibilities for removal.
Asset‑Based Aid for Ukrainian Refugees
Dobrindt announced that Ukrainian refugees, now treated as regular asylum seekers, must first use their own assets before receiving state aid. He stated that the protected asset threshold will be lowered to 200 euro; items such as cars and expensive watches, which exceed this amount, will be regarded as assets. Local authorities will decide whether assistance is warranted.
EU Pushes for Human Rights Convention Reform
The minister also weighed in on the ongoing debate over reforming the European Convention on Human Rights. He said clear positions by political parties could shape future decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. By Wednesday, 46 Council of Europe member states had agreed to develop a political statement on migration and the Convention by 2026, while 27 countries—including Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria, and Denmark—currently support tightening its provisions. The Convention prevents deportation of even serious offenders if they face inhuman or degrading treatment in the destination state, and it is monitored by the European Court of Human Rights.