SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Germany prints its constitution in Arabic for refugees to learn

The first 20 articles of Germany's constitution have been translated into Arabic, outlining basic rights including freedom of speech.

A man holds a cardboard with a 'Welcome' slogan during the arrival of refugees at the train station in Germany
A man holds a cardboard "Welcome" sign during the arrival of refugees at a train station in Germany. Source: AAP

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Skip to article content

Germany has translated the first 20 articles of the country's constitution, which outline basic rights like freedom of speech, into Arabic for refugees to help them integrate.

Germany is struggling to cope with an expected influx of some 800,000 people this year, both economic migrants and asylum seekers fleeing war in the Middle East and Africa.

Aside from the cost and practicalities of looking after so many people - almost 1 per cent of Germany's population - many voters are worried about how they will integrate into society.

Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, also chairman of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), told Bild daily that refugees were welcome but that they have to make an effort to fit in.

"People who come here must not only learn the German language, but also learn the rules of the game of living together," Gabriel told the newspaper.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I am convinced that the first 20 articles of our constitution are what shape our culture," he said, adding Germany had printed 10,000 copies for distribution among refugees at registration centres.

Germany's "Basic Law" was adopted in 1949 and sets out the principles which underpin the legal system and the division of power between central government and 16 regional states.

"No one is forced, when he comes to Germany, to change his religion, to alter his private life. But what is important for our culture is that the principles of our democratic society apply to everyone," Gabriel added.

Refugees had to accept principles such as the division of church and state, equal rights for men and women, the right to be homosexual and freedom of expression, he said. He also pointed out that anti-Semitism is not tolerated in Germany.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world