Judges Association
Hundreds more judges needed for rapid asylum procedures
A sign with the inscription “Asylum” in an initial reception center for asylum seekers. Photo
© Uli Deck/dpa
The German Judges’ Association warns: Without more staff, the traffic light coalition’s plans to speed up asylum processes will come to nothing.
The German Judges’ Association has criticised the plans announced by Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) to speed up asylum processes. These are largely ineffective without additional staff: “In order to achieve the politically proclaimed goal of concluding asylum cases within a few months, a personnel offensive for the administrative courts is needed first and foremost,” said the Sven Rebehn, Managing Director of the Judges’ Association, told the “Augsburger Allgemeine”.
“It will not work without a federal pact for the rule of law that ensures extensive investment in the justice system,” stressed Rebehn. But he criticized the fact that the traffic light coalition had put this promise on ice.
Buschmann announced this week that proceedings before administrative courts are to be streamlined significantly. Long proceedings are a burden for everyone involved, and in asylum proceedings they 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 proceedings alone from the outset. In asylum proceedings, for example, one judge will normally decide alone instead of a chamber.
At least 500 additional judges needed nationwide
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.
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 appeal proceedings, significant improvements will be achieved. “Our goal must be that such proceedings are completed in less than six months in the future.”