Press release
from October, 12th 1998
Use of „catsclaws“ by the Federal Border Guard
PRO ASYL demands ban of their use:
„Acceptance of deaths organised by the state“
Use of „catsclaws“ by the Federal Border Guard
Translation-Info
This is a machine translation by the IBM-supported PERSONAL TRANSLATOR plus. It is slightly edited by combining its results with the translation of SYSTRAN. But you should not rely on it. If you want to use a translated text append or reference the original text.
The Nationwide Human Rights Agency for Refugees PRO ASYL demands the immediate ban of use of so-called „catsclaws“ by the Federal Border Guard. According to a report of the TV magazine Report these „catsclaws“ are a mobile or stationary system of roadblocks, which cuts the tyres of vehicles by remote control – according to manufacturer „an effective method to stop escaping and attacking car drivers“.
The spokesperson of PRO ASYL Heiko Kauffmann fears a further militarisation at the external borders. Specific use of this method of criminal prosecution in the border area would be primarily aimed at people seeking protection and safety from persecution war and violence in Germany. „The use of these catsclaws, who cut to pieces literally the tyres of a vehicle suddenly, brutally and surprising – happening to the driver concerned without any early warning – holds fatal risks and can lead to completely uncontrollable behaviour. It is an instrument of the ‚increased fight against the illegal move of foreigners and aliens‘ of the Home Secretary Kanther still in charge. This would be an acceptance of deaths organised by the state and has to be rejected strictly therefore“, said Kauffmann.
The supposed right to security of the state mustn’t lead to the loss of safety for defenceless people. „Also for the Federal Border Guard the principle of appropriateness has to be regarded as one of the topmost principles of the constitution. As well as a police officer isn’t allowed to simply shoot an escaping bank robber in a busy pedestrian precinct, the Federal Border Guard mustn’t endanger defenceless people by use of these roadblocks and death-traps“ explained Kauffmann.
