German Government Urged to Issue Humanitarian Visas for Injured Children and Their Companions from Gaza
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. A member of the German Parliament is urging the government to issue humanitarian visas for injured children and their companions from Gaza.
2. The government is resisting the initiative due to security concerns.
3. Germany’s approach to the issue has been perceived as ‘racist.’
The German Left Party is calling on the government to issue humanitarian visas for injured children and their companions from Gaza. Co-Chair Janine Wissler stated that many German cities are prepared to treat these patients, who cannot receive necessary care in the war zone.
Co-Chair Janine Wissler emphasized that the Federal Ministry of the Interior must issue humanitarian visas for the entry of seriously injured children from Gaza and their accompanying persons instead of blocking their urgently needed treatment in German hospitals.
Speaking to the Tagesspiegel newspaper, Wissler urged the Interior and Foreign Ministries to issue visas urgently and allow doctors to provide the needed care. Palestinian health authorities report that Israel’s campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 38,000 deaths, mostly civilians, and displaced 2.3 million people.
The German government has not issued visas for those affected in Gaza due to security concerns, according to ARD Capital Studio reports. The government fears that individuals accompanying injured children could be Hamas members seeking to enter Germany under this pretext.
Wissler criticized the Interior Ministry's argument, calling it a "racist general suspicion" that undermines humanitarian rights. She also mentioned the alternative of bringing injured children to Germany with medical staff, which aid organizations oppose due to potential trauma for the children.
Cornelia Möhring, spokesperson for humanitarian aid for the Left Party in the Bundestag, told the Tagesspiegel that Germany could help if it chooses to. She pointed out that countries like the US, Italy, and many Middle Eastern nations have allowed hundreds of injured children to enter.
These children are seriously injured war victims needing life-saving measures after suffering burns, soft tissue damage, and injuries from explosions and collapsing buildings. Möhring emphasized that it is a matter of life and death.
Amnesty International on European Governments' Discriminatory Funding
Amnesty International reported that the decision of many European countries to restrict funding to Palestinian human rights organizations questions the EU Commission’s commitment to human rights. In a letter to EU member states, Amnesty International raised concerns about the suspension or review of civil society funding.
Amnesty International stated that these decisions undermine states’ commitments to human rights defenders under the EU HRDs guidelines, the Swiss HRDs guidelines, and the overall commitment to human rights and freedom of association.
A total of 95 organizations signed the letter, including several Jewish groups such as the European Jews for a Just Peace and the Jewish Voice for Democracy and Justice in Israel/Palestine.