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Karim Alwasiti is an expert on family reunification at the human rights organization Pro Asyl
Photo:
Tim Wegner
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Alwasiti, many refugees in Germany are waiting to be allowed at least their closest relatives to join them.
Could the rising corona numbers have an impact on family reunions?
Alwasiti:
Yes, those affected are
very
afraid that there could be a lockdown like in the spring.
The proceedings were then completely put on hold.
The administrative backlog of bureaucracy is enormous.
In contrast to other professions, you don't seem to have moved your work to the home office.
SPIEGEL:
How long are the proceedings currently taking?
Alwasiti:
The duration was a chronic problem even before Corona.
At some German consulates general or embassies in the past, people had to wait more than a year for an appointment to be able to audition at all.
The procedures for certain countries of origin, such as Eritrea or Somalia, sometimes dragged on over several years.
The pandemic is adding to the suffering of the families affected.
Many of the refugees are very worried about their relatives.
Every single day that goes by is torture.
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