We still do not know exactly what went on at Cologne’s central station on New Year’s Eve. Police have recorded 379 allegations of violence, 40% of them sexual assaults, with two reports of rape. They have identified 31 suspects, who include at least two Germans, a Serb, an American and 18 asylum seekers from the Middle East and north Africa.
That’s all we know for sure. But the public still hasn’t recovered from the headlines last Monday saying that a crowd of 1,000 refugees had mobbed German women. Since then, some of us have been searching for a source whose testimony we can trust.
.... But my fear is that Willkommenskultur could end up as nothing more than a slogan. The people who always wanted it to fail, who believe in a Germans-only state, are abusing the fears and insecurities we all have over the background of the new arrivals. And more than that, they are abusing the dozens of women who were victims of assault on New Year’s Eve. [1076 comments]
[TOP RATED COMMENT 588 votes] "Well before New Year’s Eve, tensions in Germany were rising. But those who truly support the victims that night should not give in to the fears and insecurities spread by the far right"
So, ladies, if you are walking through Cologne at night and your path takes you through a throng of Middle Eastern looking youths, you are pandering to the prejudices of the far right should you feel fearful or insecure.
[2ND 529] No, we must ensure our borders and especially external Schengen borders are properly secured against migrants and all who want to enter must be fully screened and registered beforehand. Any non-EU national must be immediately deported after the slightest infraction against our laws.
[3RD 499] "The people who always wanted it to fail, who believe in a Germans-only state, are abusing the fears and insecurities we all have over the background of the new arrivals. And more than that, they are abusing the dozens of women who were victims of assault on New Year’s Eve."
My wife was opposed to the recent large-scale migration from Syria partly because she thought people wouldn't integrate and that women's rights in Europe would be endangered. By the columnist's logic, that means she is actually abusing the German women who were victims. I don't think so. The abusers are the abusers - pure and simple. Why are Guardian writers not defending women's rights here?
[4TH 456] Leftist liberals also need to correct the mistakes they have made.
[5TH 450] Anyone who dares to question immigration levels is "far right". Got it. [Guardian Cif] Read more
