MPs debate asylum changes

THE German parliament yesterday discussed controversial proposed changes to the constitution which would seek to stem the flood of refugees into the country.

In theory, the proposed changes had been jointly agreed by both the ruling coalition and the opposition Social Democrats, the SPD, before being put to the parliament. The amendment needs the support of the SPD in order to gain the necessary two-thirds parliamentary majority. But the SPD, which long resisted any tightening-up of the rules, continued yesterday to express unease about what it was agreeing to.

The SPD's parliamentary group leader, Hans-Ulrich Klose, acknowledged that it had 'not been easy' for the SPD leadership to accept the changes, and said he respected those members of his party who felt unable to vote for the package.

Even on the government side, there were few signs of bullishness about the changes. The Justice Minister, Sabine Leutheusser- Schnarrenberger of the Free Democrats (FDP), said she had found it difficult to agree to a compromise which 'significantly reduces' what had until now been an absolute right. But she argued that it had been essential to separate off the guaranteed right to political asylum from the cases of those who had 'understandable, but often unfulfillable desire' to come to an affluent country.

The old constitution stated simply: 'The politically persecuted shall enjoy the right of asylum.' In the proposed new version, that sentence is hedged around with other paragraphs making it impossible for anybody to seek asylum from a country where there is deemed to be no political persecution. For the first time, asylum- seekers may be turned back at the border. Even under the new rules, the constitution will, however, be many times more liberal than Britain's. It would be almost unthinkable for any mainstream German politician to press for a policy as hostile to foreigners as Britain's attitudes have tended to be.

None the less, even the current changes have caused concern among those at the sharp end. The representative in Bonn of the UN organisation dealing with refugees, the UNHCR, acknowledged the need to 'get a grip on' the high numbers of asylum-seekers. But Walter Koisser also warned that the changes could lead to a domino effect which could cause the 'collapse of the international asylum system'.

In 1992, more than 400,000 asylum-seekers entered Germany - a rise of 70 per cent on the previous year. This huge influx, which exacerbated the social and economic indigestion that Germany was suffering as a result of German unity, created enormous strains. Historically, Germany had been able to afford its generous policy: travel restrictions from eastern Europe meant that there was never a deluge.

If Germany had changed its policy at a much earlier stage, it would not have been so politically sensitive. Now, however, the changes are perceived by some not as defusing the threat of the far right, but rather as pandering to the right.

The region of Baden-Wurttemberg yesterday organised rallies and human chains in many towns, against Auslanderfeindlichkeit - 'hostility to foreigners'. Hundreds of thousands took part.

Bundesbank plan, page 22