Cologne crimes add to crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Saturday that her party has decided to take tougher action against refugees who commit crimes.
It is only natural that Germany should take tough measures against the criminal offenses committed by refugees. It is also understandable that it should raise its vigilance to a higher level against potential risks from the large influx of refugees on its social stability. But such is the divisive nature of the refugee issue, that any misstep could have deep repercussions in both Germany and Europe at large.
A spate of attacks and sexual assaults in Cologne on New Year's Eve by gangs the victims claimed included refugees sparked great controversy in Germany and cast a shadow over the country's policy of accepting and assisting refugees from war-torn Middle East countries, such as Syria.
