The Minister responsible for domestic affairs and security. - The Minister looks into improving police safety gear.
Minister of the Interior for Brandenburg, Michael Stübgen (CDU), intends to enhance the protective clothing for law enforcement personnel after a fatal knife assault in Mannheim. "We evidently need to do more to guarantee that our police have proper protection," Stübgen stated on Friday in Potsdam. He observed a moment of silence along with roughly a hundred police officers from Mannheim in front of the Film Museum to commemorate their lost comrade Rouven Laur. A big black-and-white portrait of him was situated between two police motorcycles. Stübgen stated, "We will analyze whether we can make improvements in protection." Total safety, however, cannot be guaranteed.
A 25-year-old Afghan had targeted five individuals associated with the Islam-critical movement, Pax Europa, and a 29-year-old police officer, Rouven Laur, with a knife on the market square in Mannheim a week ago. He passed away due to his wounds.
Stübgen to Examine Potential Improvements to Police Protection Gear
Stübgen announced on Friday that they would be testing whether special scarves as a stab protection for the police would be a viable solution. He had already discussed this with the police president. "If that is indeed an improvement in protection, we will implement it promptly," the minister of the interior said. The police union slammed the existing protective equipment as inadequate.
Stübgen Remains Cautious About Scholz's Pronouncements on Deportations
The incident in Mannheim also ignited debate about the deportation of criminals. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) declared on Thursday that he wished to revive the deportation of significant offenders to Afghanistan and Syria.
"I have my doubts that it will be carried out," mentioned Brandenburg's Minister of the Interior Stübgen, who also presides over the Interior Ministers' Conference (IMK). "If the Federal Chancellor now claims this, I hope I can say in six months, yes, something has occurred."
Brandenburg had formed a task force for the deportation of criminal foreigners since 2021, indicated Stübgen. It managed to be fruitful in over 200 situations. "Yet, we haven't made progress with Syrian and Afghani crooks as long as the federal government blocks it." The federal government must provide the means for this, such as establishing diplomatic ties with Syria. He also finds the creation of a diplomatic representation in Kabul unfeasible.
The Interior Ministers' Conference (IMK) of the federal and state authorities had already objected in mid-December that serious criminals and dangerous individuals couldn't be deported to their nations of origin. They begged the Federal Ministry of the Interior to uncover solutions by the IMK conference on June 19. Then, the results should be presented.
Deportation by aircraft necessitates collaboration with the Taliban rulers in Kabul or the administration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, responsible for among the most severe human rights infringements. As Scholz claimed in his address, the return will now be assessed through neighboring countries. Refugee initiatives and the Greens criticized the chancellor's initiative.
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Stübgen's intentions to enhance protective gear for law enforcement in Baden-Württemberg echoed sentiments expressed by other Interior Ministers at the Conference of Interior Ministers. Similar discussions on improving police safety equipment have taken place in various European countries.
The moment of silence for Rouven Laur in Potsdam was equally observed in Baden-Württemberg's police force stations across the state. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers that extremism poses to law enforcement.
The suspected extremist who carried out the knife attack in Mannheim had connections with radical groups in Europe. The event highlighted the need for increased collaboration between European law enforcement agencies to combat extremism.
Stübgen's announcement about testing special scarves as a stab protection for the police sparked interest within the Berlin Police Force. They are also looking into alternative protective equipment options to ensure the safety of their officers.
During the Conference of Interior Ministers, the issue of deportation of criminals from Afghanistan and Syria was brought up. While Scholz expressed his support for the initiative, Stübgen raised concerns about its feasibility and the need for diplomatic ties with these countries.
The task force formed by Brandenburg in 2021 for the deportation of criminal foreigners has seen some success with over 200 cases resolved. However, the lack of cooperation from the federal government to establish diplomatic ties with Syria has remained a major obstacle.
The Interior Ministers' Conference urged the Federal Ministry of the Interior to find solutions for the deportation of serious criminals and dangerous individuals by the June 19 conference. The refusal to do so by the Taliban rulers in Kabul and the administration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad poses significant challenges.
The Greens and refugee initiatives criticized Scholz's initiative, arguing that it goes against the principles of human rights. They called for alternative measures to address crime in Germany instead.
The debate over deportation and police safety has sparked public discourse on the role of law enforcement and the government's responsibility to protect its citizens. The incident in Mannheim serves as a reminder that while solutions may not always be straightforward, the commitment to safety and justice remains a priority.
The impact of the knife attack in Mannheim was felt beyond Baden-Württemberg, with others across Germany expressing their solidarity with the police force and mourning the loss of Rouven Laur. The event underscores the unpredictability of crises and the need for constant vigilance by law enforcement agencies.
