The triggers I thought were filed away — in my mind, in my chest, in the way I now glance at strangers on the U-Bahn — rose at once. Today I’m going to my work in Germany feeling, for the first time, afraid of people. Sadly.
Ten years ago, Germany symbolised Europe’s ‘Willkommenskultur’ (Welcome Culture). Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to open borders to refugees in 2015 was framed as a moral and historical responsibility. What has happened since?
During last weekend’s Gaza Peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, US president Donald Trump stood beside Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and declared with satisfaction: “There is very little crime in Egypt; it’s a strong system.” In fact, the Egyptian regime is based on systemic violence, writes one formerly imprisoned journalist.
Since 2003, Sudan has been trapped in a cycle of armed conflicts, worsened by European, especially German, policies prioritising migration control over accountability. Arms transfers, aid mismanagement, and support to abusive actors indirectly fuelled war. A shift to responsibility and civilian-focused peace efforts is now urgent.
The EU Asylum Procedures Regulation, which outlines criteria for “safe country” designations, does not mandate independent, up-to-date assessments of human rights conditions. This opens the door to politicised decisions that fail to safeguard the rights of asylum seekers. The gap between EU labels and refugee realities will only grow, along with the human cost.
Egypt’s new asylum bill, introduced as an attempt to regulate refugee status, has drawn significant criticism for its vague language and restrictive provisions. Terms like “national security” and “public order” remain undefined, allowing for broad interpretations that justify arbitrary measures against refugees.
Instead of finding safety, Sudanese women fleeing the country’s civil war and possible genocide, are subjected to harsh conditions. Egypt, buoyed by EU financial support, has introduced stricter migration and residency controls, making it increasingly difficult for refugees to find legal and physical security.