The German Judges’ Association is calling for at least 500 more judges nationwide in order to implement Justice Minister Buschmann’s plans for faster asylum procedures. A “personnel offensive” is needed for this.
The German Judges’ Association has criticized the plans announced by Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann to speed up asylum processes. They say these plans will be largely ineffective without additional staff.
“In order to achieve the politically proclaimed goal of concluding asylum applications within a few months, what is needed first and foremost is a personnel offensive for the administrative courts,” said Sven Rebehn, managing director of the Association of Judges, to the Augsburger Allgemeine.
“It will not work without a federal pact for the rule of law that ensures extensive investment in the justice system,” he stressed. But the traffic light coalition has put this promise on ice, criticized Rebehn.
“Right direction, but not enough”
Buschmann announced this week that proceedings before administrative courts are to be streamlined significantly. Long proceedings are a burden for everyone involved. In asylum proceedings, they also contribute to people with no prospect of staying in Germany becoming more entrenched.
In future, trainee judges at administrative courts will be able to handle cases alone from the outset. In asylum proceedings, for example, one judge will normally decide alone instead of a chamber as before.
Rebehn went on to say that the reform package summarizes many small points that go in the right direction, but that they are not enough overall. At least 500 additional judges are needed nationwide if the length of proceedings is to be reduced.
Goal: Complete the procedure in less than a year
Buschmann told the Funke Media Group that there are large regional differences in the duration of asylum appeal proceedings. “But the average of two years is a problem.” In addition to the burden on those seeking protection, this is also a burden on the welfare state and could harm the acceptance of asylum law as a whole.
With his package of measures to speed up asylum application procedures, significant improvements will be achieved. The aim must be that such procedures are completed in less than six months in the future.