German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday the country’s fight against racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia was the government’s “deepest concern.”
The German leader’s comments come as cabinet members met with leaders of migrant groups to discuss ways to protect citizens from right-wing violence and threats, following deadly extremist attacks.
Read more: Germany and right-wing extremism: The new dimension of terror
Merkel said her government had already initiated a set of measures to combat extremism after a gunman targeted a synagogue in Halle last year.
“We hope this will have an effect,” she said, but added that “this doesn’t change the way you feel.”
Merkel said everyone in Germany “regardless of their skin color or faith” deserve to feels safe in the country.
Read more: Germany’s worldwide call to arms against racism
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer on Saturday announced the creation of an “independent expert group on Islamophobia,” which emulates current ministerial panels on anti-Semitism and anti-ziganism.
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Two shootings
The first attack took place at a hookah bar in the downtown area and the second at a cafe about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) away in neighborhood of Kesselstadt.
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Getaway car found
Police received information about a getaway car, which they traced back to the suspect’s address. Authorities then sealed off the area while special forces launched a major search.
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Two bodies found at suspect’s home
Police said early on Thursday morning that they had found the suspect dead in his home. Another corpse was also discovered, which was later identified as the body of his mother.
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Letter of confession
A letter claiming responsibility for the attack from the suspect was found by police. Authorities are also examining a video that the suspect posted online several days earlier in which he details a conspiracy theory about child abuse in the United States.
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Federal investigators
Federal prosecutors announced they would be taking over the investigations. A spokesperson said there were “indications of a far-right motive.”
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
‘Deeply racist mentality’
German Attorney General Peter Frank said the video and manifesto posted by the shooter revealed “not only crazy thoughts and convoluted conspiracy theories, but also a deeply racist mentality.” He said prosecutors must now “find out, if there were any other supporters or accomplices in the Hanu attacks.”
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Mourning the dead
Flowers and candles are placed near the Midnight shisha bar. Nine people have so far been confirmed dead in the attacks. Several top EU officials, including European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have publicly expressed their condolences for the victims.
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Germany shootings: What we know about the Hanau attacks
Merkel gives statement
German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivered a statement on the attacks on Thursday afternoon. She said it was too early to make a final assessment of the attack in Hanau, but that there were many indications that the perpetrator had right-wing and racist motives. “Racism is a poison, hate is a poison. And this poison exists in our society, ” she said.
Author: Leah Carter, Kate Martyr
stb/aw (epd, KNA, AP)
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Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/merkel-says-racist-attacks-in-germany-of-deepest-concern/a-52605404?maca=en-rss-en-ger-1023-xml-atom