Green Minister calls for long-term detention for dangerous people - what's behind it?

Green Minister calls for long-term detention for dangerous people - what's behind it?

In the last few weeks, the issue of immigration detention for dangerous offenders and criminals who are required to leave the country has gained momentum in Germany. Katharina Binz, the Integration Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate and a member of the Green Party, has clearly advocated that such groups of people should be taken into permanent custody. She emphasizes that it is necessary to keep these people in detention pending deportation indefinitely in order to prevent them from disappearing. This emerges from a report by FOCUS online, which outlines current political efforts that could potentially result in a change in the law to enable this measure FOCUS online reports.

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has also made a proposal: He would like to extend detention pending deportation to 24 months and, in case of doubt, also waive time limits for dangerous people who are considered a significant threat. While Dobrindt's approach has met with great interest, there are also critics, such as Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD), who describes the proposal as unconstitutional.

Political support and resistance

The reactions from the federal states are mixed. According to the information from the report, most federal states, including those under SPD leadership, are open to amending the current regulations. The Integration Ministry of Rhineland-Palatinate supports the creation of the legal framework for the detention of dangerous offenders and criminals who are required to leave the country. Baden-Württemberg in particular has spoken out in favor of Dobrindt's initiative and is increasingly committed to setting up departure centers.

In this context, the AfD has submitted a motion that calls for people who are required to leave the country, especially those with previous convictions, to be taken into custody more effectively when leaving the country. The Bundestag has referred this application to the Interior Committee for further discussion. The AfD is requesting that, in the interests of public safety, detention can be ordered for up to six months without having to set a deadline for departure beforehand. The Bundestag reports here.

Legal basis and conditions

The existing legal framework already allows detention to be ordered for departure without specific reasons for detention for a period of up to 28 days. The risk of escape is not absolutely necessary here. Basic requirements include, among other things, that the departure period has expired and deportation is possible within the next 28 days. However, there must be at least one of four specified reasons for detention, such as a continued violation of the obligation to cooperate or a conviction for a crime that has been committed Asyl.net explains.

The discussion about exit custody not only raises legal questions, but also shows the different views within the parties and countries about how to deal with dangerous people. While some want to take the route of stricter regulation, others have concerns about the constitutionality of these measures. The coming weeks will show how the political landscape here develops and whether the proposed changes can be implemented.