Germany Accepts 121 More Refugees from Greek Camps

Twenty-eight sick children who were living in refugee camps in Greece have entered the city of Hanover in Germany along with their first-degree relatives. The acceptance of these refugees from Greek camps is being carried out within the framework of the European Union’s humanitarian assistance.

According to a statement from the German Interior Ministry on Wednesday, September 5th (August 26th), 121 refugees including 28 sick children and their first-degree family members arrived at Hanover airport in Germany. These refugees will be distributed across various states in Germany.

According to the ministry’s report, 347 people (including 53 unaccompanied minors and 68 sick children) have been transferred by air from Greece to Germany during the current year.

Germany’s acceptance of these refugees is based on a March agreement among European Union members and is being carried out within the framework of this union’s humanitarian assistance.

Horst Seehofer, Germany’s Interior Minister, announced following a cabinet decision that more than 243 sick children and their first-degree family members from refugee camps on Greek islands will be accepted in Germany.

The refugees who arrived in Hanover today, Wednesday, were supposed to enter Germany two weeks ago, but due to positive coronavirus test results for two of these individuals, they had to remain in quarantine for two weeks before flying to Germany, and after this period has passed, they have now entered Germany.

In its statement, the German Interior Ministry wrote that refugees from the camps on Greek islands will be distributed across 9 states: Bavaria, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia.

The selection of accommodation places for these refugees is based on decisions by state and regional authorities, but other criteria such as family connections and special medical needs of the refugees are also taken into consideration.

Accepting More Refugees and Fighting the Causes of Displacement

Peace activists and civil rights advocates in Germany say the government should continue accepting refugees but simultaneously fight the causes of displacement. Jan Gildemeister, head of the “Joint Action for Peace” campaign (AGDF), said on Wednesday in Bonn: “Since 2015, Germany has accepted a large number of refugees and this is a historic victory.”

He added that millions of people are currently fleeing violence, escaping war, persecution, hunger, and poverty. “These people should not be forgotten; they need our help and support.”

Five years ago, Angela Merkel, Germany’s Chancellor, made the historic statement “We can do this,” saying that Germany was capable of absorbing these refugees and helping them.

Gildemeister said in this regard that Merkel came under considerable pressure during this period and “was forced to answer not only to criticism from right-wing populists, but also from members of her own party (the Christian Democratic Union of Germany), but time has shown that her view was correct.”

This peace activist referred to refugees who have been integrated into society and have begun new lives and work. He called migrants “a new opportunity and possibility for a living and dynamic society.”

Source: DW