The Left Party in Saxony's state parliament wants to reform the work of the hardship commission for asylum seekers

The Left Party in the Saxon state parliament wants to reform the work of the hardship commission for asylum seekers. "There must be a binding regulation that puts the Ministry of the Interior in its place," said MP Juliane Nagel on Monday in Dresden. The minimum would be a right to a hearing for the commission and an obligation for the Ministry of the Interior to justify a deviating decision. Reasons for rejection, which the Hardship Commission has already examined, should no longer play a role in the final decision of the Minister of the Interior. The commission deals with cases of rejected asylum applications.

Nagel had submitted a minor question to parliament on the work of the Hardship Commission. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the commission dealt with 47 cases last year (2022: 30 cases). 27 requests were approved by the commission, 7 were rejected and 13 were withdrawn by the applicants. Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) approved 21 of the 27 supported requests for a residence permit. This rate was criticized by the Left Party. "Every case in which the Minister of the Interior overrides their vote is an affront," Nagel emphasized. In the commission, experts would examine and advise intensively before deciding with a two-thirds majority.

The Saxon Hardship Commission consists of nine members, who are delegated by the churches, welfare associations, non-governmental organizations and state agencies. It is chaired by the Saxon Commissioner for Foreigners. After three months at the latest, the commission deliberates and makes a decision. In the event of a positive vote, the Minister of the Interior is asked to grant a right of residence. However, he can refuse to do so.