Police advise organizers to report any use of Nazi slogans.
Xenophobic chants being heard on Sylt Island are just a preview of potentially ongoing issues. These incidents are on the rise and the Police Union foresees a considerable growth in complaints. Organizers and business owners should take action and not shy away from addressing these matters.
A right-wing incident on Sylt Island has prompted the Police Union (GdP), led by Jochen Kopelke, to anticipate a significant surge in investigations in the coming months. He expressed their concerns in a conversation with the Funke Media Group's publications: "We're expecting to encounter numerous complaints about right-wing, discriminatory incidents this summer,"
Furthermore, incidents of this nature have emerged recently in Rhineland-Palatinate and Lower Saxony. Kopelke highlights that the occurrence on Sylt Island serves to clarify the murky realm of unconstitutional appearances for law enforcement officials.
Kopelke emphasized the serious nature of anti-foreigner slurs or hateful statements: "As the Sylt incident has demonstrated, people who express such sentiments are reported, the police act swiftly, and in some cases, individuals' livelihoods and reputations are adversely affected."
The GdP chief emphasized the importance of heightened surveillance from event organizers and hosts: "If any guests sing racist verses or offer Nazi salutes, you can inform the police. People who commit such offenses must be reported instantly." For corporate celebrations and work events, employers should clearly communicate the rules beforehand: "It's crucial, especially now, to highlight that phrases such as 'Foreigners out' and the Nazi salute aren't simply party antics, but illegal activities."
Enforcing house rules and filing complaints
Kopelke also advises restaurateurs against tolerating such behavior for economic gain: substantially economically impacted by the pandemic, many establishments can't afford to lose customers or sales. "However, this shouldn't preclude interest in the guest's conduct. If a guest engages in criminal actions, measures must be taken according to the house rules and a formal complaint must be filed, no matter the cost to the business," he says.
The potential long-term impact on businesses that allow explicit xenophobia is enormous. Kopelke further stressed the need for immediate digitalization of the police: "Recently, many people have submitted online complaints after viewing the Sylt Island incident online. The authorities were able to then quickly respond and courts reached decisions. [It's disappointing that] digital complaints for crimes like hate speech are not yet possible nationwide in Germany," he lamented, questioning the progress of certain states. "We require nationwide digital police stations to enable quick response times in investigating such cases."
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The Police Union, led by Jochen Kopelke, has expressed concerns about an increase in right-wing incidents, stating that they anticipate multiple complaints related to such behaviors this summer. The Hotel Industry, especially restaurants, should not tolerate such acts for economic gain but must adhere to house rules and file formal complaints when necessary.
In light of the rising incidents, Jocen Kopelke highlighted the necessity of a nationwide digital police system, as online complaints about hate speech have proved effective in rapid responses and legal proceedings, yet such functionality is not available nationwide in Germany.
Source: www.ntv.de
