News / Germany

German Interior Ministry to propose tougher security measures

Wednesday, 10 August 2016 9:48 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 10 August 2016 9:48 AM ]

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere (AFP Photo)

Germany's Interior Ministry is to propose a raft of new security measures in response to recent attacks in the country.

German media reported on Wednesday that the tougher stance will include waiving doctor-patient confidentiality in dangerous cases and expediting the deportation of rejected refugees.

The new measures also include speeding up deportations of foreign potential attackers and criminals and the introduction of a new reason for deportation: "danger to public safety," the Bild daily reported citing security sources.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere is to announce the new measures on Thursday which are planned to be passed into law by the upcoming elections due in autumn 2017.

The measures devised by the Interior Ministry are based on a nine-point plan to improve security announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel in the wake of the recent attacks, local media said.

Merkel’s nine-point security plan included better monitoring of potential suspects and more intelligence-sharing with the US and its European partners.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere (L) addresses delegates during the opening session of the two-day Counter-Terrorism Conference of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin on May 31, 2016. (AFP Photo)

It also included a commitment to speed up deportations of rejected asylum seekers. Furthermore, it called for a commitment to push for Europe-wide gun controls.

Fifteen people were killed and dozens wounded in five separate attacks between July 18 and July 26 in Germany. Two were claimed by Daesh militant group which is mainly operating in Iraq and Syria.

The three other attacks were purportedly carried out by asylum seekers.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk