Riot police in Cologne deployed water cannon to disperse anti-migrant protesters on Saturday, as violence erupted following a rally against Chancellor Angela Merkel's refugee policy. The demonstration, led by the anti-Islam Pegida movement, came amid widespread anger over a series of sexual assaults on women during New Year's Eve celebrations.
Protesters threw firecrackers and bottles at police, who made several arrests. A counter-demonstration by pro-migrant activists also took place, alongside a separate rally by women's rights groups. The New Year's Eve attacks, which police believe were largely carried out by individuals from North African countries, have intensified criticism of Merkel's open-door policy towards refugees.
Speaking after a meeting of her Christian Democrat party, Merkel proposed tightening asylum laws to allow for the deportation of asylum-seekers who commit crimes, including those on probation. Under current rules, deportation is only possible for those sentenced to at least three years' imprisonment. The proposed changes require parliamentary approval.
Police reported that the number of reported incidents from New Year's Eve had risen to 379, with 40% involving sexual assault. The majority of suspects are asylum-seekers or illegal immigrants from North Africa. The police chief of North Rhine-Westphalia was suspended on Friday for allegedly withholding information about the attacks.
The UN Special Representative for Migration, Peter Sutherland, described Merkel's proposed measures as 'entirely appropriate', but cautioned against overreacting against an entire group. The Cologne attacks have been seized upon by anti-immigration campaigners as evidence of the failure of Germany's asylum policy, while Islamic groups fear the actions of a few will jeopardise the future of many.
