On August 25, 2007, a presumed neo-Nazi/far-right supporter attacked an Iraqi man in the eastern Germany city of Magdeburg. The incident is the second high-profile racially motivated attack in Germany in recent weeks.
Just one week prior, on August 19, 2007, eight Indian men were injured when approximately 45 right-wing extremists chased them across a market square in Mugeln, Germany.
The attacks serve as a reminder of Germany’s ongoing struggle against rising xenophobia and far-right ideology among some of its youth.
As we previously reported, political parties such as the National Democratic Party (NDP) tout far-right ideology and continue to gain substantial support across the country, specifically in Germany’s eastern states.
Until substantial moves are taken to ban anti-foreigner political parties like the NDP, we believe xenophobic attacks will continue to occur in the near-term.
Foreigners Targeted
In a highly- publicized incident, on August 19, 2007, approximately 45 neo-Nazi/far-right extremists chased eight Indian men through the streets of a market district in the eastern German town of Mugeln. As the men attempted to flee, bystanders shouted racial slurs such as “foreigners out.”
The eight victims were physically assaulted in the attack. Seventy police officers were called to restore order to the area. Four assailants sustained injuries during the scuffle.
In the days following the incident, German police have detained approximately 12 suspects in connection with the attack. The men, aged 17-35, reside in Mugeln, however none have previous criminal convictions.
Located in Saxony, Mugeln is one of two eastern states where the far-right National Democratic Party (NDP) has capitalized on economic woes to win political support. Further, the attack has revived concerns racially- motivated violence is on the rise. Specifically German lawmakers remain concerned over NDP presence and influence in the region.
Coinciding with the attack against eight Indian nationals, three additional racially- motivated attacks have occurred on German soil in recent weeks.
• On August 19, 2007, a Sudanese and Egyptian were attacked following a wine festival near the town of Mainz.
• On August 24, 2007, approximately 40 right-wing extremists go on a rampage in eastern town of Buetzow, threaten a local Pakistani merchant.
• On August 25, 2007, a 36-year-old Iraqi man was beaten with a baseball bat in the city of Magdeburg.
Lawmakers Debate National Democratic Party Ban
Xenophobic attacks are becoming an increasing concern, particularly in eastern German states such as Saxony. The recent increase in racially motivated violence is largely attributed to far-right organizations gaining strength in the region. On such organization is Germany’s anti-foreigner National Democratic Party (NDP). Since winning over nine percent of the vote in 2004, the NDP currently holds an unprecedented number of seats in Saxony’s state assembly.
In the aftermath of recent widely- publicized xenophobic attacks, German lawmakers are once again debating the effects of the NDP. Representatives of the center-left are calling for a ban on the party.
However, leading conservatives continue to oppose moves to silence the organization.
Pointing to events in 2003 in which a government initiative to ban the party failed after it surfaced that the government had infiltrated the organization with informants, opponents are once more resisting a drive to emplace a ban on the far-right organization.
Interior Ministry spokesman, Hans-Peter Uhl, states he would be pleased to see the party banned but cites fears that “such an attempt would fail” and would ultimately be disastrous for ongoing internal government surveillance of the group.
Future Xenophobic Attacks Expected
Placing a black mark on the country’s reputation for espousing tolerance, the latest incidents have undoubtedly led to intense criticism of the Angela Merkel-led government. However, it remains to be seen if the government will enact substantial steps to discourage future attacks from occurring. To this end, we believe future xenophobic attacks akin to the August 19, 2007 and August 25, 2007 attacks will occur.
As we previously reported, if German lawmakers continue their (so far unsuccessful) efforts to ban right-wing extremist political parties like the NDP, Germany may over time begin to see a decrease in support for these organizations. However, it will take stringent bans to effect long-standing change.
