Syrian Migrant Crisis: Current Events
Migrants sleep in Budapest train station, en route to Germany (Photo: Michael Gubi)
The current situation concerning the movement of Syrian migrants into Germany revolves around the fact that Germany is realizing the extent of their decision and the detrimental effects that come with not having a cap on refugees. Angela Merkel's generous open-door policy is creating backlash the country is attempting to curb. Additionally, announcements by other sectors of the government are beginning to conflict with Germany's original promises. Overall, the issue with Germany's Syrian migrant policy is becoming increasingly complex and ridden with new problems each time a new controversy arises.
On Friday, Germany's interior ministry announced that hundreds of thousands of Syrian migrants would not be granted asylum or refugee status. This has thrown Germany's policy into confusion. Although the decision was denied by Merkel, it commenced a wave of new opinion within the nation. There is now a desire to pull back on the open-door policy and fall more in line with the rest of the European Union's policy, which leans more towards limiting the amount of refugees into EU nations and sometimes even includes erecting barriers against entry. The new "Dublin Rules" that were proposed refer to sending migrants back to the first country in which they entered the EU and where their application for asylum must be examined. More political leaders within Germany are now pushing a stricter policy. Besides the new controversial split in policy opinion, there also exist numerous organizational problems within the way Germany is currently processing asylum-seeking refugees. There are many logistical difficulties with accepting refugees; these include registration, shelter, funds, health services, and many other necessities. However, Germany simply does not have the capability to sort the issue out with the current resources they have. Refugees sometimes wait for weeks in line just to begin the process. These recent issues are a result of Germany, and Merkel, not realizing the extent of such a heavy promise and the unrealistic technicalities that come with such an open policy.
The current controversies facing Germany have dangerous potential for both Germany and the hundreds of thousands of individual Syrian refugees. As for the nation, Merkel's stubbornness to keep an open-door policy instead of listen to the developing opinions of others across government not only upset her colleagues, but also nations throughout the EU. Her new announcements about curbing the number of asylum-seekers able to retain security has also caused issues across the EU. Countries surrounding Germany are expected to establish barriers against the new flow of refugees. Merkel is also pushing these countries to set up "reception centers" where these refugees can be screened and processed before reaching Germany. All these actions are increasing tensions between Germany and the rest of the EU. The policy split within Germany will also be sure to cause difficulties further down the road as certain parties lose support and Merkel's position is put on the line. Additionally, the organizational issues within Germany are soon to build up into bigger problems as more and more Syrians seek asylum and more and more get turned away. Just as well, even if refugees are accepted, the registration process is such a time burden that many may never make it into Germany successfully. The lack of supplies is another crucial issue within the topic. The refugees accepted into Germany will be forced into such a low standard of living that the promise of asylum will never be able to fulfill its potential. All in all, the numerous problems currently surrounding the subject of Syrian migrants going to Germany reflect a tumultuous future for the nation and the people it is trying to protect.
Germany's upcoming relations are all called into question as a result of their policies accommodating Syrian migrants. This includes relations within the nation, with the rest of the EU, and with the migrants themselves. Although Merkel's idea of announcing an open-door policy might have seemed like a feasible policy when decided, it is now proving to be one filled with political and organizational difficulties. In terms of the future of Germany, one only has to look to the issues of today and they can see the myriad of further complications the nation will soon have to face.
sources:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/06/germany-imposes-surprise-curbs-on-syrian-refugees
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/10/germany-refugee-migrant-crisis/408877/
https://euobserver.com/migration/131062
