NCJ Number
173542
Date Published
1994
Length
48 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of the measures being taken by Germany's States and the Federal Government to prevent and curtail violence and hostility toward foreigners in that country.
Abstract
The report first presents a welcoming speech by Chancellor Helmut Kohl on September 27, 1993, at the opening of a round table discussion on the subject of combating violence. This is followed by an overview of the problem of violence among youth generally as well as actions that have been taken by the States to address it. Attention is given to preventive measures that include education, public relations, youth and family services, school and political education, sports activities, and improvement in neighborhood conditions and the social environment. Another section of the report addresses problems in and measures taken to improve community relations between Germans and foreigners. Topics discussed include the problem and necessary action, integrative measures, the work environment and the media, and social integration at the workplace. In discussing police and internal security measures, the report advises that despite initial success in preventing xenophobic and radical right-wing violence, it is necessary to intensify and optimize all efforts by the police to prevent or curtail such crime. So far, there has been no evidence to indicate that racially motivated violence is centrally organized. Measures to eliminate such violence are primarily the responsibility of State-level police forces. Measures being taken by the police to counter various aspects of extremist violence are described. The final section of the report describes how criminal law and procedure are being developed and used to counter violence and hostility toward foreigners.