Asylum debacle: Political debate about accommodation for asylum seekers
A problematic situation regarding the accommodation of asylum seekers is emerging nationwide. Just recently, 16 people were transferred from Salzburg to Tyrol and housed in tents. An absolute emergency solution according to the responsible federal agency.
SALZBURG/TYROL. Tents in winter for asylum seekers. This controversial measure is currently the subject of heated debate. While the measure is condemned in Tyrol, the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services (BBU) states that it currently has no other option. The federal states are responsible for the aggravated situation because, according to the BBU, they do not properly accept the asylum seekers. The state of Salzburg, meanwhile, refers back to the federal government. In the midst of the chaos, the Salzburg and Tyrolean FPÖ plead for an asylum stop.
The conflict
About two weeks ago, the discussion between the federal and state governments began to come to a head. On Thursday, October 13, Minister of the Interior Karner announced that accommodation for refugees in tents was being considered.
Measures to that end were confirmed by the BBU just one day later. Several aid organizations such as Caritas and the Red Cross immediately spoke out critically and strongly condemned the measures. The BBU stated that it had no other option, since its 27 large headquarters spread across Austria were already fully occupied. Around 100 refugees arrive in Austria every day. As reported by RegionalMedien Austria, there was no significant result at a meeting of the provincial governors.
Interior Minister plant tents for refugees
tent city
A few days later the first tent cities were set up in Upper Austria and Tyrol. Criticism was immediately poured down from the mayors of the affected communities. Protests were announced in Thalham in Upper Austria.
“The dumbest place to stay”
As the RegionalMedien Tirol reported, angry voices also spoke up in Tirol.
Excitement about refugee tents set up in Absam
relocation
On Tuesday, October 25, the first 16 asylum seekers were then moved from the Salzburg asylum home in Bergheim to Zelte near Absam near Innsbruck in Tyrol. The tents in which the asylum seekers are accommodated were erected on the grounds of the police training center in Wiesenhof. The Ministry of the Interior emphasizes that only male, adult asylum seekers and especially those who have a low probability of staying in the tents would be accommodated. The Federal Agency for Care and Support Services is very unhappy with the current emergency solution.
Thomas Fussenegger from the BBU explained at the request of RegionalMedien Salzburg.
“Tents are definitely not a solution. We’ve been warning for months that we’re running out of space and that countries are simply not sticking to the agreements. Tents are the last chance to somehow accommodate people and not leave them homeless.”
A big problem
For explanation. According to the Basic Welfare Support Ordinance, the federal states must take care of the accommodation and care of the asylum seekers from the time when the decision is made to examine the asylum application for reasons to flee. They are then to be relocated from a federal district to a state district as quickly as possible.
“Actually, according to the basic welfare agreement, the federal states should take on the asylum seekers in their own facilities. But they don’t do that. We would like to dismantle the tents as soon as possible. The federal states and buildings should be made available to accommodate the people.”
Thomas Fussenegger, BBU
Current situation
In the meantime, the 16 refugees who have moved from Salzburg have been accommodated in a basic supply quarters in the Tyrolean town of Kufstein. However, the tents are still standing. According to the BBU, 5,700 asylum seekers across Austria are still waiting to be taken on by the federal states. The conflict between the federal and state governments continues.
More articles on the topic:
Emergency quarters in Absam cleared – refugees find a solid roof in Kufstein
Abwerzger: “Tyrol hasn’t had a place for a long time!”
“The situation has been known for months”