A group of 26 MEPs, led by Alexander Jungbluth (ESN), has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission calling for the immediate suspension of EU and UN resettlement programmes across the Union. The question, filed on 8 April 2026, cites the case of a 25-year-old South Sudanese man who had been resettled in Germany and allegedly killed an 18-year-old woman in a train station attack in January 2026. The MEPs argue that the incident demonstrates a security risk inherent in the EU's resettlement framework.
The question targets the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation, which for the first time establishes a permanent, harmonised EU system for resettlement and humanitarian admission under the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The MEPs ask whether the Commission will work to suspend these programmes immediately throughout the EU, linking the German attack to the broader policy.
Concrete demand for suspension The question contains a clear, concrete ask: an immediate, EU-wide suspension of resettlement programmes run by the EU and the UN. It does not propose alternative measures, such as enhanced security screening or temporary pauses, but calls for a blanket halt. The MEPs frame the request as a direct response to a specific violent incident, implying that the current framework is inherently unsafe.
restrictionist The question reflects a restrictionist stance on migration, prioritising national security and public safety over humanitarian commitments. By invoking a single tragic event, the MEPs seek to challenge the legitimacy of the entire resettlement system, which is designed to provide legal pathways for refugees. The question does not acknowledge the regulation's objectives, such as burden-sharing among member states or protection for vulnerable persons.
Expected follow-up The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views the incident as an isolated case requiring targeted improvements or as a reason to reconsider the regulation's implementation. A refusal to suspend programmes would reaffirm the EU's commitment to resettlement, while any concession could embolden further calls for restriction.
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