Migrant organizations: “We are afraid”

Several migrant umbrella organizations have called on the federal government and the federal states to do more for the protection of migrants there in view of a possible AfD state government in Saxony-Anhalt. “The developments in Saxony-Anhalt are for many people an existential threat,” said Mehtap Çağlar, Federal Chairman of the Turkish community in Germany, on Monday in front of journalists in Berlin. Karen Taylor, Chair of the Federal Conference of Migrant Organizations, reiterated: “We are afraid.” Migrants were increasingly threatened and worried about their safety. “If they come to light our houses, will the fire brigade extinguish?” Among other things, the umbrella associations call for a federal-state commission for the protection of minorities. It is to be used even before a government is formed in Saxony-Anhalt or a prime minister is elected. The Commission should ensure that migrants are protected and develop appropriate concepts. Those affected should, according to the will of the associations, sit at the table. Taylor demanded that the federal and state governments respond in writing to the proposal within 14 days. With an AfD government, one fears radical budget cuts According to the representatives of the associations, migrant associations and non-governmental organisations are in need throughout Germany. Because money has to be saved everywhere, many advisory centres and programs are in danger – which is a special problem in view of the growing right-wing extremists. Eter Hachmann, the chairman of the umbrella organization of migrant organizations in East Germany, stressed that migrant associations did important work, but partly did not know how it should go next year. Taylor added that the cuts in the “Living Democracy” program affect “all of us here.” Some member organisations do not know how to continue to operate their offices. “We will leave people alone,” she complained. The situation is particularly serious in Saxony-Anhalt. On the one hand, because there in the case of an AfD government radical cuts of funds are feared. The organizations are dependent on land funds. Hachmann spoke of “roughly estimated” twenty to thirty percent, which the countries contribute to the basic financing of clubs. They have been trying for months for other funding opportunities, have addressed, for example, large foundations. Money is scarce everywhere. Mika Kaiyama, head for policy issues at the Saxony-Anhalt State Network of Migrant Organizations, said that 40 percent of the funding in the federal state is in danger. Migrants report insults and threats On the other hand, the organizations are concerned that in Saxony-Anhalt verbal attacks on migrants have increased significantly since the state election in September. On the streets, in the supermarket, in the library migrants are insulted or threatened, said Taylor. Many people would now dare the “with AfD in the back”. Migrants would come to counselling centers to ask how they should deal with it. Kaiyama emphasized that people seeking help are not recommended to leave the federal state. The goal is that everyone everywhere can live safely. But in cases where threats become massive, security must be guaranteed. One demand of the associations is therefore that people can change their place of residence quickly and unbureaucratically, including refugees who have been assigned a place of residence. Çağlar demanded that the demanded federal-state commission clarify “how people could be protected from right-wing extremist government action”. The association representatives were not impressed by the fact that the AfD regularly emphasizes that migrants living and working legally in Germany have nothing to fear. This does not change the mood generated by aggressive and derogatory statements and demands such as those for “remigration”. The appearance of the four women in Berlin accompanied the publication of an open letter to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and the Prime Ministers, in which they describe their view of the danger situation and formulate their demands. “The endangerment of people who do not fit into the folkish worldview, on the other hand, is felt above all by those affected themselves, in their everyday life,” the letter says. It was deliberately sent to the Prime Ministers' Conference on Thursday to address the issue.