German state leader calls for strict border controls / Germany increases aid for Middle Eastern refugees

With the number of refugees on the rise, admission centers in Germany for asylum seekers were overcrowded as of 2014. Calls for stricter border controls on the border between Germany and Austria by Bavaria's leader, Horst Seehofer, triggered a controversial debate in the country.

In this context, German authorities were investigating at least two male security staff for apparent abuse of asylum seekers in their care in a special housing facility in the German town of Burbach. The suspects filmed and photographed their own actions on their mobile phones.

The German government announced plans on 1 October 2014 to increase its humanitarian aid by €10 million for refugees from Syria, Iraq and neighbouring countries.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also scheduled an international conference to address the crisis at the end of the month.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Upsurge in refugees may cause Germany to 'push its limits' http://www.europeansources.info/record/upsurge-in-refugees-may-cause-germany-to-push-its-limits/

ESO: Background information: Europe's Deadly Borders: An Inside Look at EU's Shameful Immigration Policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-deadly-borders-an-inside-look-at-eus-shameful-immigration-policy/

Deutsche Welle, 28.09.14: Asylum seekers abused in German shelter by security contractors http://dw.de/p/1DMPE

EUObserver, 09.09.14: Bavarian politician calls for checks on Austria-Germany border http://euobserver.com/justice/125520

EurActiv, 17.09.14: Bavarian conservatives seek to restore EU internal border checks http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/bavarian-conservatives-seek-restore-eu-internal-border-checks-308488

Euronews, 29.09.14: Germany: Refugee ‘abuse’ by security guards investigated http://www.euronews.com/2014/09/29/germany-refugee-abuse-by-security-guards-investigated/

Deutsche Welle, 29.09.14: German government calls for clarification of asylum seeker abuse http://dw.de/p/1DN6w

Deutsche Welle, 29.09.14: Germany's refugee abuse scandal triggers police probe http://dw.de/p/1DMfN

EurActiv, 03.10.14: Germany increases aid for Middle Eastern refugees http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/germany-ramps-aid-middle-eastern-refugees-308903

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