• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

Airports demand racial profiling to fight terror

Published: 28 Dec 10 11:34 CET
Updated: 28 Dec 10 14:10 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20101228-32077.html

The incoming head of Germany’s main airport lobby group is demanding the nation’s transit authorities use racial profiling to weed out terrorists at security checks.

Christoph Blume, the head of Düsseldorf Airport, told daily Rheinische Post on Tuesday that air passengers should be divided into different risk categories, meaning they would be subject varying degrees of scrutiny by airport security.

“That way, the security system could become more effective to everyone’s benefit,” said Blume, who will take the helm of the ADV airport association next month.

He said profiling passengers according to characteristics such as race, religion and country of origin would allow German airports to avert a further tightening of security.

While highly controversial because of its discriminatory nature, racial profiling has also found growing support in some quarters. However, critics fear it would stigmatize entire groups of passengers simply on their looks, faith or from where their trip originated.

"Such suggestions sound too much like the wish to save some time," said Bernhard Witthaut, the head of the GdP police union, in Berlin on Tuesday. "But it's better to spend half an hour in line than end up dead."

But Blume said airports would soon no longer be able to cope with the threat of terrorism.

“Each new incident leads to extra checks and security measures. This creates a security escalation that will eventually hit its technical and operational limits,” Blume told the paper.

However, Blume still supported the introduction of so-called “naked scanners” that can reveal dangerous objects under clothing at German airports. Currently, backscatter scanners are being tested only in Hamburg before officials decide this spring whether to expand their use nationwide.

The Local/DPA/mry

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

#1
12:28 December 28, 2010 by Frenemy
So what?! This is merely a question of legally codifying and officially sanctioning an existing common practice among security professionals...
Report abuse »
#2
12:39 December 28, 2010 by joetke
Wow! Chechens have white complexion! Afghans are sometimes blue-eyed blonds and Italians look like arabs!!!

How could you be that silly? Haven't you learnt anything from your HUGE STUPID KRIMINAL DISCRIMINATIONS in the 1930s? with your UNTERMENSCH who RULE THE WORLD TILL THEN?
Report abuse »
#3
12:56 December 28, 2010 by newsjunkie247
Isn't it enough to profile by destination? They already do this at Frankfurt by separating out people going to Israel and the United States.
Report abuse »
#4
12:57 December 28, 2010 by ngwanem
some years ago in the 30s a group of people were forced to wear yellow badges in this society, because they were considered a threat to the society.

now in our current century, some fellow going by the name of blume is proposing the same. maybe he should get a dose of his medicine: let other european airports create a category for "ss-looking" fellows, who pronounce "the" almost like "ze".

oh... sorry but reading stupid recommendations from people like christoph blume can make one lose his cool... watch out! facism is rearing its ugly head again!
Report abuse »
#5
12:59 December 28, 2010 by freechoice
racial profiling is very prevalent in this country, many times Asians like me are branded as illegal immigrants and polizei will always asked me questions at the airport when i arrived in Germany.

well at least they respect human rights here, in the States, any suspected illegals will be asked to squat down with the hands on their heads. which greatly reduced their human dignity.

don't be surprised that happens a nation which profusely pronounce human rights and freedom of speech!
Report abuse »
#6
13:05 December 28, 2010 by rutledm
Well, all you naysayers out there, here's a vote for Mr Blume and common sense. If you're being targeted by a certain, race, color, creed, religion...perhaps it's time to take a closer look at that race, color creed or religion. It's not "racial" profiling, it's "right" profiling. Ever hear of any trouble on El Al? Nope, they've been "right" profiling for decades! That's not to say that everyone outside of that "group" just waltzes through security, of course not, but it's time to take a closer look at the ones that are out to get you. Did taking my Omies night cream away from her because the jar was too big really help anything? It's time to get back to just plain old common sense.

So I say, finally, score one for Mr Blume, political incorrectness and just plain common sense.
Report abuse »
#7
13:10 December 28, 2010 by Frenemy
@robinson100: Living in caves/underground, Osama must also be pasty white with graying hair.... Who are you really robinson100??!!
Report abuse »
#8
13:23 December 28, 2010 by marimay
These morons are just going to make their countries less safe with their intolerance. Good job!

I can't wait to move back home, this place is going downhill fast.
Report abuse »
#9
13:32 December 28, 2010 by ngwanem
@rutledm: your common sense seems only to apply if you belong to the "master race".... sounds like u got a degree in eugenics and proudly want to show it on this forum....

anyway, i got some better common sense for you: other countries in the world, who were once either colonized by your folk or invaded through some war, have decided to implement an all-round security check on you folks, because it has been suspected you are prone to inducing wars and festering the wounds of human suffering(proof? any kid with an atlas, geography and history book can see how your ancestors either engaged in slaughtering each other or wiping out some other civilizations in the name of "bringing light to the savages"). am i politically incorrect?

Gott sei dank people like you have now been reduced to the minority!

"When the power of love surpasses the love of power, the world would change"
Report abuse »
#10
13:43 December 28, 2010 by DinhoPilot
FOR EACH STEP WE GIVE FORWARD WE GIVE TWO STEPS BACKWARDS!

As if history didn't prove itself, time and time again... Here we go again in Germany. Isn't there better ways like having or developing proper intelligence service, develop sofisticated IDs and terrorist tracking?! If people are worried about some terrorist coming here and blowing up stuff, they shouldn't cause they probably are settled here and just waiting for their time. What's next? closer borders?Build facilities were you can detain those who look different? Torture? And excuse me, but supporting this kind of ideology in EU is stupidity!!
Report abuse »
#11
13:49 December 28, 2010 by Frenemy
"When the power of love surpasses the love of power, the world would change"

...don't hold your breath
Report abuse »
#12
14:04 December 28, 2010 by DinhoPilot
@bluedave

Sure it does, sometimes, but from there to coming forward with it like that. It's well known that the world is filled with people full of bias, no terrorist needed, as history as proof. Just the law kind of eases the moral "pressure" (Just doing my job, *****). I foresee alot of gate rape.
Report abuse »
#13
14:09 December 28, 2010 by Al uk
This makes perfect sense why waste time and resources when we all know where the biggest threat comes from.

Take a look at the recent arrests in the UK and Holland. Same old same old.
Report abuse »
#14
14:13 December 28, 2010 by Frenemy
"gate rape"!!! Hahaha, damn, I haven't heard that one before, but its f&^cking awesome! Come to think of it, I've been "gate raped" a few times myself (but I doubt it has anything to do with my dark complexion. Probably has more to do with security personnel doing their damned jobs...)

C'est la vie...
Report abuse »
#15
14:30 December 28, 2010 by hanskarl
I have no problem with this. Most people, if they know who the criminal elements are will report them. However, this is not true when you view everyone as your brothers or sisters and refuse to turn them in based on a warped ideological theology. In most countries when you conspire with criminal elements you are arrested and charged but not in this case. I am in favor for profiling.
Report abuse »
#16
14:33 December 28, 2010 by rutledm
ngwanem

You've got me wrong I'm afraid. If the boys with shaved heads and jackboots are always causing problems at the dance then perhaps we should take a closer look at and perhaps consider not letting the boys with shaved heads and jackboots into the dance.
Report abuse »
#17
14:35 December 28, 2010 by Frenemy
so my choice in hairstyle and footwear is indicative of political persuasion??!!
Report abuse »
#18
14:49 December 28, 2010 by Frenemy
"white christian Pakistanis"

really??!! How many of those do you have on your average transatlantic flight?
Report abuse »
#19
14:49 December 28, 2010 by hanskarl
Tolerance only goes so far, in the home or in the community. It seems to me that in our toleration we are being overwhelmed and destroyed from within by the very benefactors of our tolerance, the intolerant. Go to their countries and attempt to openly practice your customs and/or religion and see how far you get along.

Well, we have gone out of our way to appease and support the intolerant but there is little cooperation and before we are overwhelmed by any overt group we ought to take measures to protect the local citizenry........anyway that is what the government is supposed to do.
Report abuse »
#20
15:00 December 28, 2010 by DinhoPilot
Then looks like the terrorist are winning the war because we live more and more in a state of discomfort, fear and insecurity!
Report abuse »
#21
15:54 December 28, 2010 by tallady
Racial profiling ,is fast becoming outdated,,I like the phrase,,"Countries of interest" a little better..all the same thing..but with out the no no RACIAL word. I did notice that passing thru security was faster last time with the" I see it all machine "you step in front of,,unless you prefer the hands in your pants pat down but that looked a bit slower. I was't about to put my 2 young girls thru the hands in your pants line.
Report abuse »
#22
16:11 December 28, 2010 by Johnne
I won´t write too much. I am black, proud, German citizen, and a Christian to the bone. My great-grandparets were Christians..from genrations to generations up to me. So, border guards will "racial" profile me cos I´m black???? ANY COP with the balls should try it. I think it´s time we start showing some respect.
Report abuse »
#23
18:31 December 28, 2010 by rfwilson
This has nothing to do with "race", so get over it! Arabs are Caucasian just like most of the rest of us in North America or Europe!

What this is, is simply an attempt to target the group of people that recent history has statistically shown to have caused most of the recent terrorism problem. In other words, this is a sensible, intelligent initiative.

The present situation, where a white-haired grandmother is searched and groped, even though statistics clearly show this is pointless, just so no one can say we are being "racist", is utterly asinine.

Islamic terrorists must be laughing themselves silly at our stupidity!
Report abuse »
#24
20:38 December 28, 2010 by storymann
@rfwilson maybe the jihadist are looking for old white haired grandmothers...
Report abuse »
#25
21:25 December 28, 2010 by ColoSlim
Sir please step aside for your random body cavity search, don't be alarmed!

Racial profiling will fail. It simply does not single out crazy people. If you want to stop terrorists you must stop governments from terrorizing...get it?
Report abuse »
#26
22:14 December 28, 2010 by Gretl
They obviously aren't using it yet. At Muenchen airport last week, I was select for "special" screening while boarding a flight to Atlanta. I am a white middle-aged woman. Was it because I made too many trips to the WC before boarding or because my shoes have chunky heels? I got another pat-down by a matron (why can't it be cute guys?), my purse searched and my chunky heeled shoes X-rayed.

However, on the same flight, we were stalled at the gate because 2 passengers had checked-in with baggage, but did not board. They had to stop and unload their luggage. I was all for the delay, Gods know what was in those bags.

Perhaps people would be less up in arms about profiling if it is behavior based. I have sat on a trans-Atlantic flight with a Muslim man who was reading his prayer book outloud. I was nervous to say the least. But it was his behavior that set me off, not that he was a Muslim. The Isrealis use behavioral profiling quite well.
Report abuse »
#27
23:42 December 28, 2010 by frosti
Right on. Yet another sign of how Europe is slowly but surely returning to common sense as it wakes up from the flawed and destructive PC attitudes of the 60s and 70s.

In the last 15 or 20 years we somehow arrived at a completely insane inversion of values, in which it came to be believed that eliminating even the possibility of someone having his feelings hurt was more important than preventing real-life assaults, robberies, rapes, and murders.

Don't like it? Too bad. When certain persons from certain nations stop figuring overwhelmingly in terrorism statistics —and in statistics for most other violent crimes as well— then we'll stop looking at them more closely.

And I love how certain people keep bringing up the tired old Jews-in-the-30s metaphor. It's a sure bet that these are exactly the same people who despise Israel and couldn't give a damn about Jews in real life. The same people who wail over the largely self-inflicted traumas of Gaza, while deliberately ignoring the fact that mass muslim immigration into Europe is directly responsible for the greatest wave of anti-semitism in Europe since WWII.

People are no longer willing to stand by and watch while their families, friends, and neighbors are victimized because taking any effective measures to stop it would potentially injure the self-esteem of various extremely vocal minority groups.
Report abuse »
#28
00:00 December 29, 2010 by DefJay
Yes very easy for you West-European looking people to agree with Blume. Me born in Iraq, looking like an arab don't agree at all. Why should I be searched more intensely than any of you? Because some people who share the same race as I are terrorists? Well Nazi-Germans killed millions of people. I don't see any Germans getting "special security searches". Either you do this for everybody or nobody. I haven't committed a crime, don't treat me like a criminal!
Report abuse »
#29
01:09 December 29, 2010 by Prufrock2010
I have only two words in response to this proposal: Timothy McVeigh.
Report abuse »
#30
05:14 December 29, 2010 by ngwanem
@frosti: "while deliberately ignoring the fact that mass muslim immigration into Europe is directly responsible for the greatest wave of anti-semitism in Europe since WWII"

--- don't forget muslims or arabian descent are semites too and get your facts straight. stop pretending to stand up for semites, while at the same bashing arabs... and yeah the 1930 metaphor was not invented... it is reference to what happened in the past. why would you collectively suspect all muslim/arab travellers to the eu as criminals. if you feel justified by this point, then the world can also feel justified to suspect the germans of trying at any moment to be the master race again. as there are crazy fundamentalists from the middle-east , who want to blow anything, so there are also neo-nazis in germany who hate the sight of foreigners.
Report abuse »
#31
07:40 December 29, 2010 by DocEllis
Would it be possible to find someone just a little more stupid or racist than HR. Blume. Or perhaps Hr. Witthaut should be pulled out of every line he get?'s in for the next year and treated like a criminal. Brilliant, why not just make non-Germans where a yellow ?"T?" for terrorist sewn on to their clothing. Or how about only selling airline tickets to Germans this way there is absolutely no security threat because no German would pose a threat. No that would not work they want the non German money. I guess it?'s better to take the non German Euros and then treat the non German customers like criminals and as a threat. Yeah, that?'s better.

The reality is that the German authorities already do racial profiling. I know from personal experience. So the comical element to this story is the idea that the authorities want to ?"Begin?" do racial profiling.

My personal feeling is if air travel is under that great a threat then let's stop all commercial airline travel. Then the opportunity is gone. The air is cleaner. The world?'s overly fast pace is a little slower and more pleasant. It is quieter, and Hr. Blume can go back to working at McDonalds sweeping floors where his racist view points can not do any harm to people.
Report abuse »
#32
08:12 December 29, 2010 by Alofat
Isn't it funny how all the morons here who bring up Hitler, do so in a threat about profiling. I don't really need to point out the hypocrisy, do I?

Not to speak of how their shitty countries either rape you every time you enter their land or have ten CCTV cameras trained on you at all time.
Report abuse »
#33
09:30 December 29, 2010 by snowey
Racial profiling? First class idea. We all know that 99.9% of terrorist attacks are commited by Muslims so why should'nt Airports take specific measures to identify the.
Report abuse »
#34
11:43 December 29, 2010 by mixxim
Even peaceful Moslems realise that the treat is likely to come from radical moslems. If profiling were accepted they realise it is for their protection too.
Report abuse »
#35
23:59 December 29, 2010 by Prufrock2010
What "race" are terrorists again?
Report abuse »
#36
07:30 December 30, 2010 by Skip Gainer
I am still holding out for full body cavity search. Until the so called nice muslims stand up against the muslim terrorist and sharia law profile them, all so check every ones history and political views!
Report abuse »
#37
11:21 December 30, 2010 by mos101392
I for one would feel safer flying if authorities were allowed to focus where the problem is. Sure a convert or 2 will slip by. Does it justify "NOT" using racial profiling? As a US vet living in Germany...it is so blatantly ignorant to constantly read or hear the German/Jewish past...let it go! I don't ponder what King George did to the American Colonies...it's past! With all the Islamic hatered festering in England, Europe, across the world...does it really make sense to look at everyone equally for the sake of "NOT" being rasist? Is it worth another plane going down because we were so "concerned" about everyone's individuals rights? I'm curious how those aligned with being "against" racial profiling will justify another plane going down when it was found that racial profiling would have prevented it! How will they look themselves in the mirror and try to justify thier "clinging" to thier ,"WE LOVE EVERYONE" ideas. I wonder if they would be willing to sit down with a victim's family and try to convince them that racial profiling is still wrong even when it is proved to have saved your loved one's life. Look in the mirror and slap your silly self back to reality....they don't love us the way some of you seem to love them...they hate our way of life and will do whatever it takes to kill us. They have no morals! I myself cannot pretend to love all mankind when I know there are those who want me dead. Thier views are to to kill us...period! I'm just glad to be on the side with the bigger stick :O)
Report abuse »
#38
11:51 December 30, 2010 by mos101392
They need to be rooted out like the rats they are! If you are willing to kill innocent lives...Islamic extremists, IRA, ETA, Anacrchists...regardless of your twisted motives/idealogy, you are the "MINORITY" and will not prevail and you will be destroyed and history won't give you a "BLINK" of sympathy.
Report abuse »
#39
16:25 December 30, 2010 by Prufrock2010
I'm still asking but can't seem to get an answer. What "race" are terrorists again?

This thread is full of pseudo arguments in favor of "racial profiling" to stop terrorists. Will someone please explain how that works, since the terrorists are religious fanatics of no particular race? Just asking.
Report abuse »
#40
16:58 December 30, 2010 by Linda Rivera
It is unacceptable and immoral that innocents at U.S. airports are humiliated with degrading full-body scanners exposing their naked bodies and destroying their health with cancer causing radiation; and subjected to extremely aggressive, invasive "pat downs" which analysts say are criminal sexual assaults.

This has NOTHING to do with security. It?'s all about power and control and destroying our health, basic human rights and our freedom. Ruling elites know the body scanners are useless:

?"Full-body scanners are waste of money, Israeli expert says

A leading Israeli airport security expert says the Canadian government has wasted millions of dollars to install ?"useless?" imaging machines at airports across the country.

?"I don?'t know why everybody is running to buy these expensive and useless machines. I can overcome the body scanners with enough explosives to bring down a Boeing 747,?" Rafi Sela told parliamentarians probing the state of aviation safety in Canada.?"

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Full+body+scanners+waste+money+Israeli+expert+says/2941610/story.html
Report abuse »
#41
17:27 December 30, 2010 by Prufrock2010
Soon everyone will be required to fly naked after undergoing full body cavity searches. This is an image that is painful to conjure.

The terrorists don't have to do anything more. They have already won.
Report abuse »
#42
20:24 December 30, 2010 by tomjack
Who want's the new year to go off with a bang.

Check'em all out.
Report abuse »
#43
09:06 December 31, 2010 by Prufrock2010
My prediction is that in order to avoid the stigma of the term "racial profiling," the authorities will simply call it by an Orwellian term such as "systematic differentiation." The term has no real meaning, of course, but that is the purpose and beauty of Newspeak in a nascent totalitarian society.
Report abuse »
#44
01:52 January 3, 2011 by Prufrock2010
I agree with bluedave. Every country in the world uses profiling. I also agree with schneider25 that racial profiling might save lives, and the main group of people who are terrorizing just so happen to be of Middle Eastern descent. In other words, white people with suntans and curly hair. I propose that all countries start racially profiling white people. That will solve the problem immediately.
Report abuse »
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Expanding drone fleet raises privacy concerns

Germany's armed forces and police currently operate 331 high-tech drones inside and outside the country, and the government intends to swell the fleet, according to a media report that has alarmed civil rights advocates. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Milder weather on the way for the weekend

Spring is coming ever closer in Germany, as mild temperatures and light rain are forecasted for the next few days. But nights will remain frosty in the south, the German Weather Service (DWD) reported. READ »

Photo: DPA

Obama praises Merkel’s euro crisis leadership

Despite plenty of transatlantic tensions over the eurozone debt crisis, US President Barack Obama phoned German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on concluding a new Greek bailout deal. READ (10 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Frankfurt Airport workers halt strike for talks

Frankfurt Airport's tarmac traffic controllers have called off their five-day strike after the company that runs Germany's largest air hub offered to negotiate over their wage demands. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Defrocked, defrauded: man cons abusive bishop

A 29-year-old German man has been charged with conning Walter Mixa, a former Catholic bishop who resigned following child abuse allegations, out of nearly €5,000. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Germany told to stop sex offender castration

The Council of Europe's anti-torture committee on Wednesday urged Germany to abolish the surgical castration of sex offenders, warning that the operation could amount to "degrading treatment." READ (17 COMMENTS) »

Have Your Say
Photo: DPA

Can Gauck be president 'while living in sin?'

Germans generally agree that Joachim Gauck is a good choice for president. But can the ex-pastor be the nation's moral authority while staying married to one woman yet living with another set to become First Lady? Have your say. READ (11 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Internet 'scammer' freed in surprise move

Megaupload.com boss Kim Dotcom was freed on bail in a surprise move Wednesday, after a New Zealand judge dismissed fears he would flee the country to escape US online piracy charges. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

More National
More popular articles »
Highlights
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
The Local’s media roundup surveys opinion on Joachim Gauck’s ascension to the German presidency
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Can't understand Cologne's traditional drinking songs being sung by Karneval revellers? A German-American couple has published translations in English.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
President Christian Wulff's resignation may be quickly forgotten, but Chancellor Angela Merkel’s poor judgement will remain, writes The Local’s Marc Young.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
The boozy zaniness of Karneval isn't just for Catholics from the Rhineland. Who needs naked Samba dancers in Rio when you have drunk Germans in clown suits in Cologne, right?
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: February 16 - 22
Photo: Dreamworks Studios, War Horse
LIFESTYLE »
Find the latest movies in English playing in Germany with The Local's cinema guide.
Photo: DPA
OPINION »
Should people without children pay more taxes to help shore up Germany's social security system? Have your say.
Photo: DPA
LIFESTYLE »
Sabine Devins tackles immunisations and baby pharmaceuticals in the latest instalment of Motherhood in the Fatherland.
Photo: Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain
LIFESTYLE »
What's on in Germany: February 9 - 15
Photo: Vocalex
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Extend your German vocabulary with Vocalex
Photo ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Photo: Bavarian International School
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A global education - a Bavarian community



See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Sponsored Links
Jobs in Germany, in English

1248 jobs available
700 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden

More news from Sweden at thelocal.se

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline

Noticeboard
SHOW ALL NOTICES »
Toytown Germany
Germany's English-speaking crowd
Toytown Germany
FULL INDEX »
English-speaking educators (native level)

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!