Attacks on asylum seekers: a sign of new xenophobia?

Attacks on asylum seekers: a sign of new xenophobia?

Konzell, Deutschland - In the district of Straubing-Bogen, an incident causes excitement that heats the minds. Last weekend, three men held an 18-year-old asylum seeker from Mali on a train and brutally attacked. The attack is seen as an expression of a new quality of xenophobia, which is increasingly noticeable in the region. The number of asylum seekers in the district is not insignificant: over 300 are currently living in 14 different accommodations, and more are planned. There are mixed reactions for the locals.

Already last year there was conflicts in Konzell, a municipality in the district, in which asylum accommodations were attacked. Windows were hit during a stone's throw. However, the support for the asylum seekers in Konzell is remarkable: the community and many citizens are behind them. Social pedagogue Julia Liebl has observed that the locals are reserved on the one hand, but on the other hand also express fears and reservations about the newcomers. Social studies show that crime near asylum accommodation does not increase, which is often ignored in public discussion.

fear and prejudices

Prejudices against asylum seekers are circulating in the region, even if the reality looks different. Liebl indicates that many refugees have paid high sums to flee - up to 20,000 euros - and therefore often have fashionable clothing or smartphones that make it easier for them to connect to their home. These things are often perceived as negative, even if they are of enormous importance for asylum seekers.

In the past few months there have been reports on thefts and crime in connection with asylum seekers in Bavaria. Constantine G., head of an EDEKAS in Regensburg, has publicly criticized the fact that black -clad men from asylum dwelling homes regularly steal in his shop. The post paid a lot of attention, but was quickly deleted after users accused him of racism because he described the alleged perpetrators as mainly from Maghreb countries.

statistics and current discussions

The Regensburg police report an increase in thefts, especially around the station building and the Danube shopping center, where the Edeka is located. They report that about half of the suspects have a Tunisian migration background in said Edeka and lives in the Anchor Center in Regensburg. The debates that foreigners and refugees are disproportionately often granted are increasing on social media. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), around 7% of the registered suspects were "immigrants" in 2021. This raises the question of how to integrate and accompany refugees in Germany.

An interesting aspect of this debate is the statement by criminologist Christian Pfeiffer, who explains that demographic factors such as age and gender play a role. This suggests that not all refugee people can be viewed the same. In view of this complex situation, political actors, in particular from the Union, require faster processing of asylum applications and the declaration of North Africa as a safe return country. The Greens object that such a measure is not justifiable in view of the human rights situation in these countries.

Developments in the region and the general social discourse reflect the challenges that are associated with the inclusion and integration of asylum seekers. The citizens are divided in many ways, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. At the same time, it is important to look at this topic with a sense of proportion and empathy in order to reduce prejudices and promote peaceful coexistence.

More details on the now far -reaching discussions about the topic can be found in the complete articles of evening newspaper .