Germany's Long Road to Multiculturalism

Germany finally has an immigration law. What other legislation is essential for streamlining immigration and making integration of foreigners easier?

The immigration law that we have isn't the best, but it does make things simpler in some aspects. What's crucial, however, is for Germany to implement an anti-discrimination law according to European regulations -- though that may become tougher under a conservative government. Germany also needs to humanize its current policy on refugees, which unfortunately has become an EU standard now.

Also, very importantly, we need to offer illegal immigrants the chance to legalize themselves -- something that's even possible under Berlusconi in Italy. Talking about illegal persons in Germany is a huge taboo -- which just shows how loaded the issue is. We definitely need to improve on regulations for illegal immigrants as well as for refugees and asylum-seekers.

One of the enduring images broadcast around the world during the 60th anniversary of World War II was of a massive demonstration against a planned neo-Nazi march in downtown Berlin. Isn't it an encouraging sign that ordinary Germans take to the streets to counter neo-Nazis and send a signal against hate and racism?

An anti-attitude or just being against something isn't an answer. Counter demonstrations -- whether it's by the far-left or by the middle class in Germany -- seldom lead to a solution or a new stance of solidarity. It would be better if people were more considerate of others rather than taking to the streets with candles and slogans. Of course, sometimes you need them to show far-right groups that there are limits. And I don't think that there are counter demonstrations to neo-Nazis groups everywhere in Germany.

If one wants to really show solidarity with racial minorities then one has to treat them with respect and interest -- something that happens much too rarely in everyday life in Germany.

Sonia Phalnikar interviewed Anetta Kahane