Forensic psychiatrist Frank Urbaniok, a leading expert in the German-speaking region when it comes to the potential dangers of certain groups of offenders, has published a new book titled “Shadow Sides of Migration” in Zurich’s Voima-Verlag. In the book, Urbaniok analyzes the topic objectively and based on official statistics: certain groups of asylum seekers are massively overrepresented in serious acts of violence. Afghanis are five times, Moroccans eight times and Tunisians even nine times more often reported than Swiss people. People from the Maghreb, the Balkans, or parts of Eastern Europe also fall significantly more frequently into acts of violence. Urbaniok, who grew up in a working-class family in Düsseldorf and is a Swiss-German dual citizen, proposes 17 concrete measures in his book to make migration policy more security-oriented. His central demand is that the crime rate should play a role in assessing asylum applications. Countries from which particularly many violent offenders come should receive fewer quotas in the future. However, the political sphere is notably cautious when it comes to addressing the shadow sides of migration. Those who point out the shadow sides of migration risk being accused of populism, incitement and division. However, it is not about generalization, but about differentiation. Not all migrants are criminals, but certain groups are overrepresented. If migration policy wants to remain credible, it must also have the courage to name uncomfortable facts. Switzerland needs humanity, but it also needs honesty and protection of public safety. Urbaniok’s proposal is uncomfortable, but it is necessary. Meanwhile, the FPÖ criticizes the migration policy for the effects of Ramadan on schools.
Forensic Psychiatrist Calls for Action
