Germany to make forced marriage a crime despite 'private nature', increased role for 'integration' ministry planned

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10/27, "Government takes aim at forced marriages," The Local, Germany's news in English

"The German cabinet on Wednesday backed several proposed changes to immigration laws including cracking down on forced marriages by making them a punishable offence

• and offering better protection for victims.
  

The draft law from the Interior Ministry would define forced marriage as a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Current German law views such situations as a serious case of coercion....

• But Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger warned on Wednesday that while the laws would be clarified,

the legal fight against forced marriages would remain a challenge.

“Enforcement will also have certain difficulties in the future too,” she told broadcaster Deutschlandfunk,

• adding that new policies could not change
  
• the private nature of the issue.

The proposal also provides for the safe return of women taken abroad for these marriages, an addition that Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said was essential....

• The cabinet discussion takes place after the immigration debate in Germany has become increasingly heated, and other topics on the agenda

include better regulation of required integration courses for new German residents and

• the prevention of marriages of convenience."

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10/25, "Bohmer wants new integration ministry, The Local

"Germany’s integration commissioner, Maria Böhmer, has called on the government to set up a dedicated ministry to tackle the hot-button issue. Such a move would bring the federal government into line with many states who have already set up such central authorities, Böhmer on Monday.

• “I believe it would be logical to have an integration ministry,” the conservative Christian Democrat told daily Hamburger Abendblatt. “The broad issue of immigration should be addressed in one department.”

Several of Germany’s federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, have already taken this step and created a national conference of state integration ministers, she said.

• “And communities are also strengthening the topic of integration politically,” she added.

Böhmer’s comments came in the midst of a bitter debate over immigration and integration in the country. In recent weeks several of her fellow conservatives, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, have made controversial remarks about how multiculturalism has failed in Germany.

• As the discussion becomes increasingly heated, Böhmer told the paper that integration and immigration
  
• have become the issues of the future.

She also advocated improved recognition of attempts by immigrants to integrate and an increase in the number of naturalisations in Germany, saying that people who choose to live permanently in Germany should be willing and able to become citizens....

• According to the integration commissioner, rules already exist that speed up the process of naturalisation for immigrants who prove to be well-integrated –

but officials often choose not to comply, she said.

• “I am appealing to the immigration offices to use this rule,” she said. “The state must better recognise attempts at integration.”

via Lucianne.com