German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser have issued a stern warning to all supporters of the deposed Syrian ruling family al-Assad who may be considering seeking refuge in Germany. Baerbock, a member of the Green party, emphasized that anyone involved in human rights abuses under the Assad regime will face legal consequences in Germany. “Anyone among Assad’s torturers thinking of fleeing to Germany, I can only say clearly: We will hold all the regime’s henchmen accountable with the full force of the law for their terrible crimes,” she asserted in an interview with the Sunday tabloid Bild am Sonntag. The ministers highlighted the need for international collaboration among security agencies and intelligence services to prevent perpetrators from evading justice.
Following the ousting of the despised Assad regime, a coalition of rebels, including Islamists, has assumed power in Syria, while al-Assad and his family have sought refuge in Russia. The regime’s legacy is one of extensive human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, oppression, torture, and extrajudicial killings that have left a lasting impact on the Syrian population. The German officials underscored the importance of border security measures to prevent individuals connected to the Assad regime from entering the country.
Interior Minister Faeser emphasized the vigilance of German authorities in monitoring border crossings and deterring potential perpetrators from seeking asylum in Germany. “We are extremely vigilant. If henchmen of Assad’s terror regime try to flee to Germany, they must know that hardly any country pursues their crimes as harshly as Germany. That should deter them from making the attempt,” she asserted in the newspaper interview. The message is clear: Germany is committed to upholding justice and accountability for human rights violations, regardless of where they occur.
In the ongoing debate surrounding the return of approximately one million Syrian refugees currently in Germany to their home country, labor unions have voiced concerns about the potential loss of skilled and essential workers. Verdi union chief Frank Werneke argued against repatriating Syrian workers who play a vital role in various sectors of the German economy. “Be it in care, in hospitals, in post and parcel services, in mail order or many other professions. In many places, people who fled from Syria help keep this country running,” Werneke emphasized.
Echoing Werneke’s sentiments, IG Metall union chairwoman Christiane Benner highlighted the valuable contributions of foreign workers to Germany’s workforce. “We need skilled and labor forces from abroad,” Benner stated, emphasizing the need for a diverse and skilled labor pool to meet the demands of the German economy. The unions’ stance reflects a broader recognition of the positive impact of migrant workers on Germany’s labor market and the importance of welcoming individuals fleeing conflict and persecution.
In conclusion, the statements by German Foreign Minister Baerbock, Interior Minister Faeser, and labor union leaders underscore Germany’s commitment to upholding human rights, promoting international cooperation in addressing human.
