taz.de
AfD Inquiry Targets Refugee Mental Health Support in Berlin
The AfD in Berlin used a parliamentary inquiry to question psychosocial support for traumatized refugees, prompting criticism from affected organizations who emphasized the importance of these services in addressing the mental health needs arising from past trauma and current living conditions.
- What are the immediate consequences of the AfD's parliamentary inquiry regarding psychosocial support for refugees in Berlin?
- The AfD in Berlin submitted a parliamentary inquiry aiming to discredit psychosocial support services for refugees and incite fear of violence. The inquiry focuses on the number of asylum seekers with mental illnesses since 2014, incidents involving mentally ill perpetrators, and the cost of support facilities. This has prompted a strong response from affected organizations.
- How does the AfD's inquiry fit into a broader pattern of attacks on civil society organizations supporting marginalized groups in Germany?
- This inquiry is part of a broader pattern of attacks by far-right and right-wing populist groups against organizations supporting marginalized groups. These attacks often involve parliamentary inquiries, followed by defamation campaigns to undermine the organizations' funding and reputation. The goal is to discredit the work of these organizations and sow doubt about their commitment to human rights and an open society.
- What are the potential long-term impacts of such attacks on the provision of psychosocial support to refugees and the overall health and well-being of the refugee community in Berlin?
- The long-term impact of this strategy could be a chilling effect on civil society organizations providing crucial support to vulnerable refugees. The AfD's actions risk reducing access to vital mental health services and increasing social isolation for refugees, potentially leading to long-term health problems and increased costs for the state in the long run. The incident highlights the increasing polarization of German politics and the vulnerability of civil society organizations to political attacks.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing heavily emphasizes the negative aspects of the AfD's inquiry, portraying it as an attempt to discredit and sow fear. The headline and introduction immediately set this tone. The article prioritizes the responses and concerns of the targeted organizations, giving less attention to the AfD's stated reasons for the inquiry. This framing could shape reader perception by preemptively discrediting the AfD's motives.
Language Bias
The article uses strong language to describe the AfD's actions, labeling them as "discrediting," "sowing fear," and part of a "diffamierungskampagnen" (smear campaign). The term "psychisch gestörte" (psychically disturbed) used in the AfD's inquiry is also highlighted as inappropriate and diffamatory. While conveying the organizations' concerns is appropriate, using more neutral language such as "raising concerns" or "questioning the methods" in certain instances might have allowed the reader to draw their own conclusions.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the AfD's actions and the response from supporting organizations. It does not include perspectives from the AfD or other political parties beyond brief mentions of the CDU. While this omission might not be intentional bias, it limits the reader's understanding of the broader political context and the motivations behind the AfD's inquiry. The lack of statistical data to either support or refute the claims made by the AfD is another notable omission.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a clear dichotomy between the AfD's actions and the response of the supporting organizations. It frames the situation as an attack on civil society by far-right forces, simplifying a potentially more nuanced political debate. The article does not explore the possibility of legitimate concerns within the AfD's inquiry, potentially limiting the reader's understanding.
Sustainable Development Goals
The AfD's parliamentary inquiry aims to discredit psychosocial support for refugees, fueling fear and potentially undermining efforts to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. This action is a form of discrimination and incitement against vulnerable groups, hindering the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provides access to justice for all and builds effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.