Far-right mobs are becoming brazen

Incidents in Germany highlight the need for all political leaders to uphold democracy and equality

If we forget the lessons of history, then we are doomed to repeat its errors. And in Germany, the lessons of history indeed need to be learnt well and remembered. Certainly, in view of the ugly scenes in the eastern city of Chemnitz, where a gang of far-right protesters roved in mobs through its streets, seeking out non-whites and immigrants on whom to vent their vengeful and vile hatred. There were other incidents in pockets across the nation for two days, though none had the overtone as ugly and as reminiscent of the darkest days of the Weimar Republic. The two-day outbreak of xenophobia was reportedly blamed on the killing of a German man last Sunday, a crime in which a Syrian and an Iraqi face charges.

Sadly, some of the far-right protesters in the Chemnitz mob waved Nazi-linked banners and gave the outlawed straight right arm salute. As the gang roamed in search of immigrants, at least one Syrian and an Afghan teenager were assaulted. It’s a pogrom that crosses a line anywhere, but in Germany, given its tortured past, it’s a very painful and timely reminder that there’s a very fine line between civilised society and the breakdown in law, order and the values of decency.

For German Chancellor Angela Merkel, there were strong words of repudiation and condemnation. “Such riotous assemblies, the hunting down of people who appear to be from different backgrounds or the attempt to spread hate in the streets, these have no place in our country,” her office said in a statement. How true indeed. These disgusting acts have no place in any country, but they do serve as a timely warning that there are forces at work across Europe and elsewhere, spurred on by a vile philosophy of hatred and encouraged by political parties that are only interested in the pure pursuit of power rather than the responsibility of political leadership.

In Italy, there is a government that believes that it’s permissible to leave refugees on the high seas. In Hungary, there’s a government that concentrates refugees in shipping containers. In the Netherlands, a parliamentary party believes Islam should be outlawed. And in Germany, there’s a party seeking power that believes that civil freedoms must be rolled back to treat Muslims as an inferior citizenry.

If ever there was a need for all truly democratic and representative governments to double down on a commitment to decency, equality and the protection of all — regardless of ethnicity, creed or colour — it is now.