Karner defends deportations: Austria is a pioneer in the EU!

Karner defends deportations: Austria is a pioneer in the EU!

In a confrontational interview with Armin Wolf, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) commented on the current situation with deportations in Austria. According to Karner, the number of deportations in the first half of 2025 was at the same level as the previous year at 6,554 people, with around half of these deportations being voluntary. “35 people have to leave Austria every day,” explained Karner and described the numbers as a “very good and tidy balance.” reports that....

Around half of the deported people became criminals, which Karner highlighted as an important aspect in the fight against smugglers and illegal migration. However, the planned deportations to Syria are raising considerable concerns. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) recently temporarily halted such deportations following furor over the repatriation of a convicted terrorist. Karner described the stop as an “interim measure” and emphasized that all preparations were being made for future deportations to Syria , said the Crown.

Deportation policy and voluntary return

In the interview, Karner also discussed the approximately 500 people who have accepted the offer of voluntary return to Syria. The return advice has noticeably improved compared to previous years, when it was “slow”. However, forced returns to Syria cannot be ruled out either. He also rejected the UN's call to investigate the whereabouts of a man deported to Syria who has since disappeared: "That is not our job." , Karner continued.

Karner sees the criticism of the deportation policy as confirmation of his course. He stated that Austria was the first EU country to carry out active deportations to Syria. In 2024, a criminal convicted of terrorism was deported to Syria, whose trace was then lost in the war-torn country. Refugee NGOs expressed relief at the stop to deportations because basic human rights were not guaranteed in Syria , highlights the crown.

EU plans for asylum policy

In the far-reaching context of the EU's likely deportation reform, the EU Commission is planning a new “return regulation” to accelerate the deportations of rejected asylum seekers within the member states. The regulation is intended to create a uniform solution for all EU states and stipulates that an EU state can hand over rejected asylum seekers to another member state, which then carries out the deportation , reports ZDF.

So far, returns have not been addressed in the Asylum and Migration Package (CEAS) because no consensus has been reached. The proposal aims to solve the problems that already exist and increase the number of deportations. This could also lead to easier detention of people who are required to leave the country, which critics see as problematic. Return centers in third countries are also a proposed model for sustainably reducing migration to the EU, although the effectiveness of these centers remains questionable , ZDF continued.

Overall, the situation in Austria and the EU shows how complex the challenges in the area of ​​migration and asylum are. However, with the announced policy measures and ongoing dialogue, the authorities appear committed to finding a way to improve the situation.