Karamba Diaby will not stand again in legislative elections in Germany on the grounds that he has received death threats.
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Senegalese-born German parliamentarian Karamba Diaby, the first German parliamentarian of sub-Saharan descent, announced on Tuesday his decision not to run in next year’s legislative elections.
The reason? According to Les Echos, he has received numerous threats from neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists in recent years, and his office has also been targeted on several occasions, notably by shootings and arson. “Racism and hatred are not the main reasons why I am no longer running for the Bundestag. My decision is partly motivated by personal reasons. I also want to give way to young people”the Social Democratic politician told the Berliner Morgenpost.
He lamented that racist attacks and xenophobic hate crimes had risen in recent years and criticised the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party for stoking fears against immigrants and refugees.
“In the Bundestag, especially since 2017, we have seen AfD speeches filled with hatred and insults towards migrants and other minorities. This is fertile ground for spreading hatred in the streets,” said Diaby, who adds: “I recently received death threats, and last year my office in Halle was the target of an arson attack. Worst of all, my team has also been threatened.” “This is a red line that has been crossed. We must and can have difficult conversations with each other. But we must never resort to violence.” He added.
Diaby, in 2013, became the first person of sub-Saharan descent to be elected to the German parliament, the Bundestag, and has served in parliament for over ten years, representing voters in the city of Halle.
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