Casablanca – In the Saxon town of Heidenau in eastern Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel visited a refugee camp and condemned the recent extreme right-wing violence against asylum seekers in the strongest terms.
Germany is currently facing many difficulties regarding the increasing number of refugees, which has led to violent attacks and overextension of government services. A few days prior to Merkel’s visit, right-wing extremists and racists had threatened asylum seekers in Heidenau, a small town near Dresden, and also attacked policemen.
Angela Merkel had been accused of having remained silent about the ongoing hostility towards refugees. This past weekend, however, the Chancellor visited the refugee accommodations in Heidenau that had been affected by the right-wing violence. At an official news conference during her visit, Merkel pointed out that every refugee has the right to a fair asylum procedure in a humane and respectful manner. Furthermore, she added, “we must emphasize our efforts to make clear that there is no tolerance for those who question the dignity of others.”
In addition, Merkel stated that the recent incidents were “shameful and obnoxious.” Accompanied by booing from opponents and whistles of encouragement from supporters, she assured the crowd that “there is no tolerance for those who are not willing to help where law and human assistance is needed….Germany will help where help is needed.”
According to German laws, every person who has been politically persecuted or forced to flee from civil war is entitled to fair treatment in terms of the asylum procedure or recognition as a civil war refugee. In order to cope with the ongoing migration crisis, constant support is required from the German federal states, associations and volunteers.
