Self-Determination

The right to a self-determined life is already enshrined in Art. 2 para. 1 of the constitutional law. The idea of self-determination is closely linked to the fundamental idea of human rights. This means that every human being is granted the right to make decisions free from interference by others. In the ANKER centres, however, violations of privacy are a daily occurance. A self-determined everyday alife and the free development of the personality are massively restricted by the obligation to reside, house rules, the principle of benefits in kind, work and visit prohibitions. People are often arbitrarily accommodated in multi-bed rooms – regardless of whether they know each other or not. There are no places of retreat or privacy. The own rooms may not be arranged themselves and cannot be locked in many accommodations. The room is monotonously furnished with metal bunk beds and metal lockers. Visits by family members are associated with disproportionate administrative costs. Cooking as an expression of individual habits and food preferences as well as the consideration of incompatibilities are also not possible. The clothes counter and the shopping vouchers for selected purchases limit the personal expression by the choice of clothes. The hygiene articles distributed are not equally compatible for everyone or do not correspond to personal habits and needs.

Asylum seekers have to endure many restrictions in terms of self-determination. With the Dublin Regulation it is not possible to apply for asylum in the country of their choice. Even within Germany, asylum seekers have hardly any influence on their whereabouts. With the ANKER centres heteronomy is very strong and their fundamental rights curtailed.