Off the wire
• Kenya's disciplined forces launch parallel taekwondo league  • 1st LD: Kurdish-led groups capture key dam from IS in northern Syria  • EU scientists find new way to more accurately estimate consumer exposure to enzymes  • Roundup: Global economic uncertainty threatens Africa's investment flows: officials  • Spotlight: Analysts say safe havens risk deepening divide in Syria  • (BRF) Explanatory document issued on Belt and Road Initiative  • Urgent: Kurdish-led groups capture key dam from IS in northern Syria  • Urgent: U.S.-led airstrike kills 10 civilians in Syria's Deir al-Zour  • Roundup: Fear of failed Cyprus peace negotiations leads to majority support for solution  • Namibian President pledges press freedom under his leadership  
You are here: 　 Home

German defence ministry promises reform to root out extremism

Xinhua, May 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Germany's defence ministry on Wednesday promised a reform to clear off Nazi sympathizers in the army following the scandals of far-right attack plots.

The German defence force Bundeswehr has been under pressure recently since several soldiers were arrested on suspicion of plotting xenophobic terror acts. They allegedly planned lethal attacks on migrants disguised as refugees.

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen announced that Bundeswehr will review itself, focusing on "leadership and values".

The reform measures included a modification of its 1982 "decree on traditions", which allows the display of objects of Nazi-era armed force Wehrmacht "within its historical context", for example Wehrmacht weapons, helmets as well as posters.

The minister said the rule might provide "back doors" for the ill-minded military personnel and inspire some far-right ideology.

She added the armed force will be "zero tolerance" on all forms of extremism.

On Sunday, all German barracks were already given order to start clearing off Nazi-era objects. Endit