In Chemnitz, experts from all over the world discuss refugee movements and new research findings. Recently, the call-up of hundreds of thousands of reservists in Russia for the war against Ukraine has triggered a new exodus. How should the EU react?
Chemnitz (dpa/sn) - The migration researcher Birgit Glorius has complained about a lack of legal refuge routes for Russian deserters and conscientious objectors to the EU. According to her assessment, she is at least entitled to subsidiary protection, said the professor at Chemnitz University of Technology to the German Press Agency. Many fled to Georgia and Turkey. "Now they are in just as precarious a situation as other people who cannot enter the EU without a visa." It is to be feared that they will make their way to the EU with the help of smugglers, for example by rubber dinghy.
The full extent of this young refugee movement and the consequences cannot be estimated at the moment, explained the expert, who heads the scientific advisory board of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. She referred to the sheer size of Russia and its population of more than 145 million people. Because not only the reservists themselves are affected, but also their families.
One possibility would be humanitarian visas, she explained. However, Glorius conceded that this could be seen as interference and partisanship on the part of Russia in its war against Ukraine. Ultimately, what is needed is a pan-European political solution.
So far, the EU states have not found a common line in dealing with Russian conscientious objectors. Above all, the Baltic States and Poland reject admission. Glorius expressed understanding for the attitude of these countries. On the one hand there are moral reservations there, on the other hand there are fears of being infiltrated by Russian agents. Countries like Poland were pioneers in taking in Ukrainian refugees; From their point of view it would be understandable if the Russian refugees were now given refuge primarily in other EU countries, explained Glorius. From their point of view, a security check is also necessary.
And according to the expert, there could also be conflicts with regard to the many Ukrainian war refugees. "You can imagine that someone who fled the war in Ukraine and may have lost relatives there cannot approach a Russian with an open mind." You have to be prepared for this as a preventive measure.
Experts from all over the world will be in Chemnitz until Friday to discuss current flight processes and their consequences as well as the latest studies and research results from international migration research. "This year we will reach a sad high with 89 million refugees and displaced persons worldwide," emphasized Glorius as hostess. "But with the war in Ukraine, the issue has come closer to the German public again." According to the information, 400 guests from more than 30 countries are taking part in the conference of the Network for Flight Research, either in person or online.
