Germany's top court clears way for refugee returns to Greece

GENEVA

Germany’s Federal Administrative Court ruled on Wednesday that returning certain refugees to Greece does not violate fundamental rights, settling a long-disputed legal question.

"Single, employable, and non-vulnerable beneficiaries of international protection are currently not threatened with degrading or inhumane living conditions upon return to Greece," the court said in a statement. "Therefore, asylum applications from this group of persons in Germany can be rejected as inadmissible."

The case concerned a 34-year-old man born in northern Gaza and a 32-year-old Somali national, both of whom were already granted refugee status in Greece before arriving in Germany.

Their asylum claims were dismissed, and deportation to Greece was ordered. Appeals were unsuccessful at all previous levels.

The Leipzig court emphasized that while access to state support in Greece may be delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles, returnees can generally secure basic needs through temporary shelters and income from informal employment. Emergency medical care is also available, it said.

GENEVA

Germany’s Federal Administrative Court ruled on Wednesday that returning certain refugees to Greece does not violate fundamental rights, settling a long-disputed legal question.

The case concerned a 34-year-old man born in northern Gaza and a 32-year-old Somali national, both of whom were already granted refugee status in Greece before arriving in Germany.

Their asylum claims were dismissed, and deportation to Greece was ordered. Appeals were unsuccessful at all previous levels.