From immigration to cannabis
The interior ministers are planning this for more security
December 8, 2023, 8:48 p.m
The topics of immigration, internal security and protection of Jewish life in Germany determine the autumn conference of the interior ministers in Berlin. But there is also debate about cannabis and the skimming of profits from criminals. The department heads of the federal states were able to agree on a few things at the end of their three-day meeting in Berlin. The most important results at a glance:
Immigration, expulsion and deportation:
Immigration: The ministers are largely satisfied with the announcement by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser that the stationary controls at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, which began in mid-October, will continue until at least mid-February. However, Saxony-Anhalt’s Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang criticizes the federal government’s decision to only add Moldova and Georgia to the list of so-called safe countries of origin. It is logical “that the Conference of Interior Ministers confirmed that Armenia, India and the Maghreb states should also be classified as safe countries of origin.” The list of safe countries of origin must therefore be significantly expanded – also because this would send a signal so that someone “doesn’t even set out without a real reason for protection”.
Expulsions: The conference participants also advocate changing the residence law so that “expulsions of people involved in violent conflicts” are made easier. The relevant section of the law provides for a special interest in deportation in the case of certain crimes, such as those that are directed against physical integrity or sexual self-determination. They would also like to include, among other things, breach of the peace and incitement to hatred.
Deportations: The ministers are also asking the federal government to make deportations possible for serious criminals and so-called dangerous people. “Dangers” are people whom the police believe are capable of committing serious crimes that endanger the state, including terrorist attacks. Such deportations – for example in cooperation with neighboring states of the countries of origin – are very complex, but should still be attempted, it is said.
Anti-Semitism and Israel’s right to exist: Because of the terrorist attack on Israel, the ministers are suggesting that public denial and denial of Israel’s right to exist should be criminalized. The Federal Minister of the Interior should be asked to check whether criminal law needs to be adjusted accordingly, said Berlin’s Interior Senator Iris Spranger. These are slogans against Israel that have been chanted at demonstrations by Palestinian groups for many years. The interior ministers support the federal government’s plan not to naturalize foreigners “with anti-Semitic, racist or other inhuman attitudes” as Germans. Naturalization tests should be supplemented with questions about the special responsibility for Jewish life in Germany and Israel’s right to exist.
In addition, some ministers are asking for “legal options to be examined” so that people with multiple nationalities who are convicted of forming a terrorist organization or of another serious crime that endangers the state lose their German citizenship.
Strengthening internal security:
Security at airports: After several incidents in which radical climate protection demonstrators and a child kidnapper broke into airport grounds, ministers want to increase nationwide security precautions, as Hamburg’s Interior Senator Andy Grote said. The airport operators are responsible for this. Harsher punishment for the perpetrators is also necessary. In criminal law, it has often only been about trespassing and damage to property. However, an interruption to air traffic must be assessed and punished more harshly under criminal law.
Threat of Islamist terrorism: Interior State Secretary Hans-Georg Engelke emphasized: “We have an increased threat situation, particularly from Islamist terrorism. We are definitely seeing increased calls for attacks in the jihadist spectrum.” In addition, the risk of further emotionalization and radicalization is also very high. That’s why we keep the scene very closely under control and do everything we can to stop further radicalization. Since October 7th, the Federal Criminal Police Office has had more than 200 channels and content deleted from the Telegram messaging service alone and has sent more than 1,500 requests for deletion to other providers.
Gaps in civil protection: Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was also a guest at the conference. He spoke to his former counterparts about how the protection of the civilian population can be ensured in the event of tension or war. Everyone agrees that there are gaps here. However, there is disagreement between the federal and state governments about financing. Unlike disaster control, which is the responsibility of the states, the federal government is required to provide civil protection.
Cannabis and the fight against organized crime:
Cannabis legalization: Some ministers continue to oppose the traffic light government’s legalization plans and have called on them to refrain from doing so. “Everyone is aware that the legalization of cannabis has significant effects on security in our country, which are largely ignored by the federal government,” criticized Hesse’s Interior Minister, Peter Beuth.
The traffic light coalition factions have agreed on the details of a draft law. Cannabis should therefore be removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Home cultivation and possession of certain amounts of the drug will be permitted for adults from April 1, 2024. Clubs for collective cultivation should also be possible on July 1st.
Confiscation of assets from criminals: Ministers largely agree that criminals’ assets – which have been acquired through crime – should be confiscated more easily. Spranger also emphasized this with regard to a recent court ruling in which the confiscation of a clan member’s real estate was rejected because the judges did not see enough evidence. What is necessary is the so-called reversal of the burden of proof, as in Italy, emphasized Spranger. In the event of suspicion, the owner must prove where his money came from. This is the only way to weaken criminal structures in the long term. Prison sentences often had no effect and were even seen as a reward for some criminals.