Germany in new anti-terror plan to thwart Islamist militants

 

The German interior minister is announcing new anti-terror measures, following recent attacks linked to Islamist militants.

Thomas de Maiziere is expected to call for swifter deportation of criminals and greater use of video surveillance.

There are also plans to ban public wearing of the burka (full veil) and radical Islamist funding of mosques.
A possible ban on dual citizenship and easing of medical confidentiality have already prompted heated debate.
"My proposals are limited to the points that can lead to more security rapidly," the minister said. "Other points will be discussed by the parties. We need a workable consensus in the coalition."

German media report that the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) - coalition partners of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) - strongly oppose any ban on dual citizenship. The Greens also oppose it.
The security issue has become intensely political, as the country prepares for general elections next year and earlier regional elections.

 

Mr de Maiziere is expected to attract broad support for creating 15,000 more police posts nationwide and for improving police weapons and other equipment to deal with the terror threat.
Germany is also likely to introduce more video surveillance in urban areas, a special police cyber defence unit and powers to investigate suspects as young as 14.
Currently Germany has very few restrictions on people's dress. Few Muslim women in Germany wear the burka.
But there are some exceptions. For instance, it is illegal to cover your face in a football stadium in Germany.
Burka bans exist in other parts of Europe, notably France, Belgium and some towns in Italy.

 

German doctors who breach patient confidentiality can face up to a year in prison or be forced to pay a fine.
Frank Ulrich Montgomery, the head of the German Medical Association, said: "Patient confidentiality protects patients' privacy and is a basic right under the constitution.
"The tense domestic security situation must not tempt us into rash political and legal measures.''