The Grundgesetz celebrated its 75th anniversary in the so-called “old federal states” on May 23, 2024. Its adoption was an immediate response to National Socialism. For this reason, it has included a fundamental right to asylum from the very first day, enshrined as a subjective right to ensure that “human dignity is inviolable."
The right to asylum is a lesson from the crimes of the Nazis
Thus, it reflects the lessons learned from the crimes of the Nazis and the immense suffering of those who had to flee from fascism in Germany. And it stands as a commitment to Germany's responsibility for refugees! Or does it?
Already in 1993, the constitutional right to asylum was eroded by the so-called “Asylum Compromise” after prolonged struggles. Its practical significance today is also diminished because European regulations on "international protection" themselves provide protection.
About the Webinar
As part of our webinar, we would like to review the history and struggles surrounding the constitutional right to asylum , for this
We have brought in Dr. Patrice G. Poutrus from the University of Osnabrück [2] as an expert.
This will be followed by a discussion on the loss of significance of constitutional asylum law in legal practice and its superimposition by European requirements
Prof. Dr. Pauline Endres de Olivera from the Humboldt University of Berlin [1], who has a proven focus on human rights and European law, will address this issue.
We cordially invite you to be part of the discussion on 13.06.2024 at 18:30 CET and to exchange views with us and our speakers on these important questions.
The discussion will be held in German. We look forward to active participation!
[1] Pauline Endres de Oliveira is a professor of Law and Migration at Humboldt University of Berlin. Her interdisciplinary and internationally oriented research focuses on the international and European legal aspects of migration law and international human rights protection. As part of her professorship, she coordinates and supports the legal training of the Refugee Law Clinic Berlin.
[2] Dr. Patrice G. Poutrus is a research associate at the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) at the University of Osnabrück and holds a PhD in history. He has researched and extensively published on migration and flight in both German states during the Cold War and beyond. In his book “Contested Asylum: From Post-War Germany to the Present” he traces the struggles over the constitutional right to asylum.