Karner sees "very good record" in deportations
According to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), deportations from Austria "stabilized" at the level of the previous year in the first half of 2025. Specifically, 6,554 people left the country, nearly half of them voluntarily. "35 people have to leave Austria every day," Karner said at a press conference in Vienna on Wednesday, noting a "very good and proper balance." The fight against human traffickers is also a "decisive point."
In recent days and weeks, there has been intense discussion about the topic of deportations, said the Interior Minister. However, it often concerns individual cases, and it is overlooked that it is the "daily business for authorities." 3,366 or 51 percent of the "people taken out of the country" left voluntarily after being requested to do so. 3,188 (49 percent) were forcibly deported after refusing. Karner once again described the approach as "tough, strict, but fair." About half of those deported are criminals.
Continuing Deportations to Syria
Regarding Syria, Karner once again advocated for voluntary departures. The return counseling initially "started slowly," then improved steadily. Around 500 people have already accepted the offer, with a peak in July. Karner also wants to "forcibly" return people to Syria if there are negative asylum decisions. Despite criticism, he will continue to advocate for this.
On Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) temporarily halted a planned deportation to Syria. Karner emphasized "continuing on this path." Support came from the Director of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum (BFA), Gernot Maier, who saw it as a "completely normal procedure." The court needs the files to review the case and must therefore issue a temporary injunction.
Syria "Not a Safe Country of Origin"
In general, Maier is certain: "Syria is not a safe country of origin." Because that would mean that there are no threats in the country. Conversely, this does not mean that deportations are not possible. Each individual case must be examined, according to the BFA chief. The asylum reason of being drafted into the Assad army was eliminated with the overthrow of the ruler in December. Currently, there are "no forced recruitments" in Syria, the Ministry of Defense is trying to bring all armies under control. There are significant differences depending on the region.
Deportations are a central part of Maier's work. "Otherwise, the procedures before it could be spared." International conditions are constantly changing, and the BFA must adapt to them. However, the focus is on voluntary departures, with affected individuals being offered information and support.
Fewer smugglers caught so far this year
Interior Minister Karner wants to take preventive action against smugglers. If their business is disrupted, the number of deportations will also be lower in the future. In this area, Karner saw a "trend reversal initiated." "Smugglers avoid Austrian territory," said Gerald Tatzgern, head of the Central Office for Combating Smuggling Crime in the Federal Criminal Police Office. In 2024, 225 smugglers were caught, and in the first half of 2025, only 44. Tatzgern: "Thanks to very good international networking, we can combat smugglers and save people."
Numbers for FPÖ "not a success, but a joke"
However, FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz described the press conference as "a PR fairy tale that cannot be surpassed in terms of denial of reality." The presented numbers showed the "complete failure of the black-red-pink loser coalition," it was said in a statement. Especially the forced deportations are still too few for Schnedlitz: "This is not a success story, this is a joke!" At the same time, numerous new asylum seekers are coming into the country, and there is a need for "complete rejection at the border."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.