Global Courant 2023-05-29 21:28:22
BERLIN
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday called for stronger efforts to tackle far-right extremism, saying Germany has long ignored the threat of far-right terrorism.
“Extremists and racists dehumanize individuals by spreading fear and anxiety among all those who might be their victims. I call it terrorism,” said Steinmeier.
He made his remarks during a commemoration event held in Solingen to commemorate the victims of the 1993 racist arson attack in which five members of a Turkish family were killed.
Steinmeier said that for years, when there was a far-right attack in Germany, authorities assumed it was an isolated incident and perpetrated by a single perpetrator.
“The structures behind it and the ideology of the perpetrators have long been ignored, ignored and sometimes suppressed.”
“Here, right-wing terrorism is responsible for the deaths in Solingen. This right-wing terror existed before Solingen, and it exists after Solingen. “There is a continuum of far-right violence in our country,” he said.
Commemorating Mevlüde Genç
Steinmeier praised Mevlude Genç, who survived the attack but died in 2022, for his exemplary stance, repeatedly calling for moderation, reconciliation and understanding.
“He has repeatedly said that even in the turbulent days that followed the arson attack, violence should not be met with violence. For him, solidarity and humanity were stronger than hatred,” he said, reminding that he lost five of his family members in the attack.
“Mevlude Genç not only advocated for reconciliation, but also underlined that our entire society should take firm steps against far-right extremism, hatred and violence, especially state institutions,” said Steinmeier.
Institutional racism problem
The German president underlined that it is the state’s duty to protect people, especially those at higher risk of being victims of violence. He underlined that stronger efforts are needed to resolve the issue within the ranks of the police.
“I am stunned to hear that the security officials who are supposed to prevent far-right attacks are actually members of right-wing chat groups. We cannot and should not tolerate this,” he said.
Steinmeier also underlined that the fight against right-wing extremism and racism requires wider and more active social participation.
“When I talk about a strengthened democracy, it means to me: Being strong against those who spread hate speech and violence; To be strong against those who do not want to accept the diversity of our country,” he said.
The home of a Turkish immigrant family in Solingen was set on fire in 1993 by neo-Nazis amid growing resentment against foreigners in the country after the reunification of East and West Germany.
According to the human rights organization Amadeu Antonio Foundation, at least 213 people have been killed by neo-Nazi violence in Germany since 1989.
Racism remains a major problem in the country, as official figures have seen an increase in far-right crimes in recent years.
The far-right carried out 1,170 violent attacks last year targeting immigrants, refugees or political dissidents. At least 675 people were injured in these attacks.
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