As a result. rightwing hate crimes have been tolerated to a shocking degree. In the short term. law enforcement must be strengthened. Germanys constitution offers asylum to all genuine political refugees. But now Chancellor Kohl has called for changes to article 16 and the German Government plans on deporting thousands of Romanians. mostly Gypsies. by November 1 of this year. These Gypsies. many of whom had relatives fall victim to Nazi racial policies. will now be forced to return to a country that does not accept Gypsies as part of their population. The renowned human rights organization. Helsinki Watch. says: "Gypsies in Romania have been the target of increasingly violent attacks since the revolution that toppled Nicolae Ceausescu." By singling out Gypsy asylumseekers. Germany is promoting another scapegoat for its reunification problems. By making the asylum law a central issue in German politics. the Kohl government has given rightwing extremists a legitimacy they do not deserve. Racial hatred must be met with education. forceful denunciations. and a genuine commitment to basic human rights. The German Government ought to set the tone for a more tolerant Germany.
Identified stereotypes
Gypsies are described as not being accepted as part of the population in Romania.