In an open letter, associations representing migrant groups appealed to the Federal Chancellor and the regional government leaders, urging them to protect minority groups against potential involvement in government by far-right groups. The associations announced this meeting in Berlin on Monday.
The letter pointed out that in Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD-a party designated by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as right-wing extremist-could soon enter a coalition government. They warned that this situation necessitates a “new way of thinking about the protection of minorities,” given that the party would have a say in crucial sectors such as the police and schools.
The signatories called for the establishment of a federal-state commission tasked with developing protective measures for people and institutions against right-wing violence and government action. Furthermore, they demanded the introduction of a safety clause for individuals under residency or settlement restrictions, allowing asylum seekers the ability to leave dangerous locations. They also argued that a federal protection fund for vulnerable non-profit organizations is necessary to ensure swift assistance without lengthy application procedures.
The organizations stressed that the threat to democracy and to individuals who do not fit the current “ethnic worldview” is already tangible. They noted that hate and rejection have increased since the AfD’s electoral successes. The letter concluded by demanding a written response from the governments at both the federal and state levels within 14 days. The organizations that signed the letter included the Turkish Community in Germany (TGD) and the associations BKMO, DaMOst, and LAMSA.
