Berlin: Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, expressed concern over Germany's decision to temporarily suspend its participation in the UNHCR led refugee resettlement programme.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Grandi, in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, stated that he hoped Germany would reconsider its position and continue accepting a limited number of vulnerable refugees, including those facing persecution based on sexual orientation.
The resettlement programme is designed to identify refugees who cannot return to their countries and facilitate their relocation to safe third countries for a three-year stay without requiring asylum applications.
Germany had previously committed to receiving 13,000 refugees during 2024-2025 but paused the pledge following the formation of a new government in May.
Grandi also warned against the forced returns of Syrian refugees, noting that the current Syrian government is inexperienced and the overall situation in Syria remains fragile.