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Category: 992-INTEGREAT

ECJ: Possible new refugee protection for women as a “social group”

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has made a decision that opens up a new possibility for refugee women (including minors) to be recognized internationally as refugees. This applies if the women identify with the “fundamental value of equality between women and men”, but this fundamental value is not recognized in their country of origin as it is in their country of refuge. They may therefore be considered to belong to a “particular social group” in their country of origin, which may be persecuted. This could then lead to refugee status. The ECJ announced this decision in a press release… Read More

Two quick ways to get a passport

The vacation season begins. Anyone applying for a passport now needs to be patient. It is currently taking up to eight weeks instead of around two weeks for the Bundesdruckerei to deliver the documents to the cities and municipalities. This is according to a spokesperson for the German Association of Cities. Anyone who urgently needs a passport for a long-distance trip can apply for it using the express procedure. Production normally takes three working days. The express procedure costs an extra 32 euros plus the cost of a passport. People over the age of 24 pay 70 euros. This passport… Read More

Discrimination endangers democracy

More and more people are turning to the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency to report discrimination. In 2023, there were 10,772 people affected—22 percent more than in the previous year. Most of the inquiries, around 3,400, concerned racial discrimination. This accounted for 41 percent of all inquiries to the advice team (2022: 43 percent). The experts at the Anti-Discrimination Office can provide information on legal options, among other things. “Foreigners out” sentiment and contempt for humanity have “become normal”: So said Ferda Ataman, at the presentation of the annual report in Berlin. Ataman is the independent federal commissioner for anti-discrimination. She warned… Read More

More foreign qualifications recognized

More and more foreign professional qualifications are being recognized in Germany. This is according to an analysis by Mediendienst Integration. In 2022, a total of 54,300 applications were approved in full or in part—eleven percent more than in the previous year. The majority of recognitions were for documents from EU countries (11,800), followed by other European countries (10,900). The number of recognized qualifications from Syria (3,100) ranks behind Turkey (3,600). According to Mediendienst Integration, the number of applications almost doubled between 2019 and 2022. The data was collected by the Federal Statistical Office. Three out of four applications come from… Read More

Child benefit application comes automatically

New parents now receive the application for child benefit for their newborn automatically. The Reutlingen Employment Agency points this out. The family benefits office sends parents a welcome letter and a QR code shortly after the birth. This leads to a largely pre-filled online application for child benefit. “The application can be submitted completely paperless. Supporting documents no longer need to be attached,” the communication states. This means that families no longer have to take action themselves after the birth. The family benefits office is gradually expanding its online services. For example, applications for child benefit and child supplement can… Read More

Protection for Ukrainians in the EU extended until 2026

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian aggressor war. It will be provided until March 4, 2026. This was reported by the press service of the EU Council. In total, temporary protection will be extended for 4.2 million Ukrainians currently residing in the European Union, nearly 1,2 million of them in Germany. Now, EU member states, in accordance with their national procedures, must adopt additional acts to officially extend temporary protection for Ukrainians. The Temporary Protection Mechanism was launched on March 4, 2022 and provides immediate and collective protection… Read More

Breastfeeding women and teeth

Breastfeeding women also benefit from various health insurance advantages when it comes to their dental health. Good dental health is particularly important during breastfeeding, as hormonal changes can increase the risk of dental problems. Many health insurance companies recognize this and offer special benefits and support for breastfeeding women with regard to their teeth. A major benefit is the coverage of dental examinations and treatments. Many health insurance companies will reimburse the cost of regular dental check-ups while breastfeeding. This enables women to keep an eye on their dental health and identify potential problems at an early stage. In addition,… Read More

Speeding by car: it gets expensive

If you are speeding by car or motorcycle in Germany and are caught by a speed trap, you have to pay a fine. The greater the speeding offense, the higher the fine. Speeding in urban areas is more expensive than speeding on country roads or freeways. If you were driving much faster than the speed limit, you will receive points in Flensburg and a temporary driving ban. Within the city limits, it costs 30 euros if the speed limit is exceeded by up to 10 km/h. Outside the city limits, it costs 20 euros. Drivers who exceed the speed limit… Read More

Warning of flight risks increases the desire to emigrate

Since 2015, the European Union (EU) has been promoting information campaigns in countries of origin of refugees. The aim of these campaigns is to raise awareness of the dangers of flight and people smuggling by smugglers, thereby reducing irregular migration. A study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has now investigated the impact of these campaigns. Interviews with around 13,000 young adults in local areas of ten countries in Africa and Asia, including Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia, were analysed. The surprising result: if the interviewees were aware of the campaigns, they did not have the effect of deterring… Read More

EU agrees on new common asylum policy

On April 10, 2024, the European Parliament approved the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which has been planned for eight years. This so-called asylum compromise must now be approved by all EU countries in the Council of the EU in May, which is considered certain. The agreed legislation will then come into force. However, they will take two years for the EU countries to implement and will therefore only be applied from the second half of 2026. The Federal Government must present an implementation plan by the end of this year. To this end, various legislative amendments… Read More

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