Just bed, bread and soap

Asylum rules to be changed after Solingen attack

The suspected knife attacker from Solingen during his arrest

(Bild: APA Pool/Uli Deck)

The German government is tightening the rules for asylum seekers after the bloodbath in Solingen. Following the knife attack that left three people dead, a major package of measures has been agreed: Refugees are only to be provided with food, a place to sleep and drugstore items.

As the newspaper "Bild" reports, the benefits of so-called Dublin cases are to be massively reduced: Asylum seekers who have entered and registered via another EU country are to receive only the minimum. In other words, bed, bread and soap - no more cash and no more payment cards.

Asylum status will be revoked in the event of home leave
Measures are also planned in the areas of weapons law, security powers, deportations and prevention. For example, all refugees who go on vacation in their home country will lose their asylum status.

Exceptions will only be granted for a valid reason, such as the funeral of relatives.

Many people laid flowers in Solingen. They are stunned at how the bloodbath could have happened.

(Bild: AFP/APA/Ina Fassbender)

Ban on knives in long-distance transport and public festivals
There are also plans to ban knives on long-distance buses and trains, and the police are to be given more powers. In future, checks will always be permitted in train stations and law enforcement officers will also be allowed to use tasers. Furthermore, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees will be allowed to use biometric internet data to establish the identity of migrants.

What's more: an "absolute ban on knives at public festivals, sporting events, trade fairs, exhibitions and markets". The federal states will also have the option of introducing knife bans at train stations. In future, authorities will be allowed to use AI programs to track down Islamists.

Task force to enable more deportations
A "Dublin task force of the federal and state governments" is also to be set up. This is to find out how more refugees who are already registered in another EU country can be deported. Also planned: an extension of the European asylum reform to make it easier for other EU countries to take back refugees. The current take-back rates are extremely low, according to Bild.

Karner: "Long established practice in Austria"
According to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, the new measures presented in Germany have "long been common practice in Austria". He welcomes the fact that another EU member state is following suit. "We must now work together to exert pressure in order to resume deportations to Syria and Afghanistan," said Karner.

People entitled to protection would lose their protection status if they traveled to their country of origin. "Dublin cases" would not receive an asylum procedure in this country, but would be given accommodation, food and clothing until the time of deportation.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

Draft law on knife ban is ready
A comprehensive and practicable draft law on the subject of a knife ban has been drawn up by experts from the Ministry of the Interior and can be sent for review at any time. This draft provides for a general ban on knives, but with far-reaching exceptions for customs, sport and professional purposes.

It would also ensure that the police would be able to exercise their powers in accordance with the rule of law and in a practicable manner.