Expert warns: Hardly any chances for integration of criminal clans!

Expert warns: Hardly any chances for integration of criminal clans!

The discussion about the integration of clan members was recently the focus of an event in the knight's hall of the castle in Gifhorn. Dr. Dursun Tan, a recognized expert in this field, spoke about the complex clan structures that exist in Germany. This event took place at the invitation of the Integration Office and was well attended. Tan, who worked as head of department in the Lower Saxony State Chancellery and the Ministry of Social Affairs until 2023, provides in-depth insights into this explosive topic, which is important in many cities in Germany, especially in Berlin, Bremen and North Rhine-Westphalia, as Wikipedia reports.

Dr. Tan explained that there are around 50 to 70 clans in Germany, although not all of them are criminal. However, four of these clans are regularly associated with serious crime, particularly from the eastern Turkish-Arab-Kurdish region. These are often large tribal societies that have up to 150,000 members and consist of clans, clans and extended families. In these communities, the tribal name plays a crucial role in social relationships and conflicts, which are often governed by blood feuds, not state laws. “The first generation of guest workers had to endure a lot of discrimination, but subsequent generations are much more critical,” explains Tan.

Integration and reality

The question of integration appears in a different light when one considers cultural differences and lifestyles. Tan is certain: “I see little chance of integration among the hard core of these criminal clans.” This confirms that many clan members are hesitant to take on German citizenship and shows how important cultural identity is for many of them. The statistics show that of the suspects with a clan background in North Rhine-Westphalia, 36% are German citizens, while the others often come from Middle Eastern countries.

It is also known that clan crime is a form of organized crime. In Germany, cases of clan crime only account for 0.6% of all crimes. According to the BKA, these clans are described as ethnically isolated subcultures. The idea of ​​clan members being considered difficult to integrate is complicated by various social and cultural factors. Numerous studies show that family ties are strong and that the pressure to join criminal activities can be significant, as shown by the analyzes of Mahmoud Jaraba, who criticizes the term “clan” as misleading.

Challenges and measures

What is particularly noticeable is that many clan members often have a low level of education. In recent years, measures have been developed to take action against these parallel societies. This includes special raids and checks in problem areas as well as popular meeting places such as shisha bars. In North Rhine-Westphalia, dropout programs already exist to protect clan members from crime and to offer them a new perspective.

The complexity of clan crime is also a challenge for the police. This is often confronted with the problem that clan members reject state authority and try to replace it with their own laws and rules. The current situation illustrates how important it is to specifically examine the cultural backgrounds and social dynamics within these groups in order to develop effective strategies to combat clan crime.

Overall, Dr. Tan's lecture in Gifhorn raised many questions. While the challenges are great, the hope remains that paths to integration can be found through isolated measures and sensitive interaction with one another. But until then, it remains a complex issue that will probably require attention for a long time. Those interested can find further information on clan crime and its social impact on platforms such as [DW](https://www.dw.com/de/clan-Kriminalit%C3%A4t-wie-gef%C3%A4hrlich-ist-sie- aktuell/a-69473499) and Wikipedia.