One-third of asylum applications by Iranians approved in Germany

Around one in three asylum seekers from Iran had their applications approved in Germany at the beginning of the year, official data showed on Thursday.

The figures from the Interior Ministry, which were seen by dpa following an inquiry by a lawmaker from The Left party, showed 35% of asylum applications by Iranian nationals to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) in January and February were successful.

The data does not include cases closed for procedural reasons, such as responsibility for the asylum claim lying with another EU member state.

The period in question came before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, as the Iranian regime cracked down on a nationwide wave of protests.

The escalating war has triggered concerns in Europe of a flow of migrants escaping the violence.

Clara Bünger, spokeswoman for The Left on refugee policy, said the figures are evidence that the BAMF is too strict in its decisions on applications from Iranians.

"Even 61% of female asylum seekers from Iran are rejected, despite the misogynistic regime and systematically discriminatory laws," warned Bünger. "Solidarity with the people of Iran looks different."

She called on Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to change the BAMF's decision-making practice.

The ministry's figures also showed that Iranian nationals were frequently successful in appealing asylum verdicts, with decisions overturned in more than one in three cases last year.