22 August 2007
A vicious attack by 50 right-wing extremists against eight people of Indian background in Germany has stirred public debate about a rise of xenophobia and racism in the country. The attack took place last weekend during a festival in the town of Mügeln, in the eastern state of Saxony. Two possible perpetrators, ages 21 and 23, were arrested and released on their own recognizance. Although authorities said they are not sure whether this was a hate crime, witnesses reported hearing xenophobic chants, including ‘Foreigners out’, during the attack, which took place on Sunday night. Some of the victims appeared on television, with stitches and black eyes clearly visible. According to reports, there were many witnesses but none who tried to help during the incident.
Stephan Kramer, the secretary-general of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said that an "apparently dangerous situation" existed for foreigners in certain parts of the country. The authorities should warn foreigners not to settle in certain eastern German regions, Kramer told the online newspaper ‘Netzeitung’, adding that a long-running discussion about declaring ‘no-go’ areas should be revived. He underlined that this was not an hysterical response but "bitter reality". Kramer accused the German government of not presenting a coherent strategy in combating racism and xenophobia.
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