Where Now for European Social Democracy? - Policy Network

More documents

Recommendations

Info

BRIGITTE ZYPRIES 87that these recommendations are not at all appropriate to actuallyachieving higher security for the population. We must consider onething above all: that we have already achieved many successes withDNA analysis. Many crimes have been solved through this. All of theseinvestigative successes were achieved on the basis of the law in effect.My question is therefore: if our laws have enabled these successes, whyshould we change them?I am convinced that the statutory framework intended by thelegislature regarding molecular genetic testing and storage in the DNAdata file has led to only appropriate inclusions within it. That is thosewho pose a considerable risk for the future of serious criminal offencesand therefore, present a danger to public security.Only when such danger exists can we think about placing thepersons in the genetic data file. Given this, I reject as adisproportionate intrusion the inclusion in the data file of all citizens,all men or even all those with a criminal record. It would, in myopinion, create an imbalance in the relationship between freedomand security. I disagree with the inclination toward fantasies ofomnipotence in the fight against crime: if only all data were availableto us, we could solve all crimes. But we all know that this is not thecase. Such fantasies should not be encouraged.Freedom and security requireeffective prevention and intelligent punishmentsHow can we guarantee freedom in security? An essential aspect iscertainly the prevention of crimes, especially crimes of violence. Thisis because those who experience violence do not live in peace.Violence in our society threatens our internal peace. We must resistthis threat. At first glance one may believe that this is solely a task forthe state. However, it is not. This subject affects all of us and is onefor which we are all responsible. Society as a whole must create aclimate of prevention.Prevention is, above all, aimed at the roots of criminality and seeksto combat its deeper causes. Not only the state, but also religiouscommunities, industry, non–government associations, the media, and,
88WHERE NOW FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL DEMOCRACY?not least, the general public are called upon. First of all, preventionmust be accomplished locally, that is, in the community. Family, preschool,school, and the living environment all play an important role,as do social support services such as youth welfare services, generalsocial services, and the activities of charitable organisations. Children,for example, must be taught values and have boundaries demonstratedin pre-school and in school. Free time possibilities and involving youthin sport associations are also important topics. Similarly, preventionplays a role through technological means – it affects the externalconditions of possible criminal environments and is therefore aimed atreducing opportunities for crime or making the commission of thecrime more difficult – for example, through security locks or electronicimmobilizers for automobiles. Industry can also contribute toprevention here.In the Federal Republic of Germany we are happy to see that crimeprevention is becoming increasingly more important. Of particularimportance is working across areas of responsibility to aggregate strengthsand to utilise, network, and distribute accumulated knowledge.The state can and must also contribute to prevention. This isprimarily through the solving of crimes – because this also haspreventative effects. A high proportion of solved crimes is a greaterdeterrent than the threat of punishment. Severe punishments are nota universal tool of deterrence. Countries in which they are used oftenhave crime rates that are many times higher than in Germany. Thisapplies, for example, to the USA, where a significantly higherpercentage of the population serves prison sentences and where thepenal system as a rule is much more severe than in Germany. Thereflexive demand for harsher punishment is, thus, not target-oriented.Another important point: the punishment must take place quickly.The more time between the offence and the punishment, the moredifficult it is to have an effect on the offender by means of criminallaw. Particularly in the area of criminal law relating to juvenileoffenders, which is influenced by the notion of education, swiftpunishment for the offence remains significant today.Also the possibility of a suspension of the prison sentence whilegranting probation can have an overall preventative effect in
Page 2 and 3:
Where Now forEuropeanSocial Democra
Page 4 and 5:
Published in 2004 by Policy Network
Page 6 and 7:
AcknowledgementsThis collection of
Page 8 and 9:
Notes on the ContributorsTony Blair
Page 10:
PrefaceTONY BLAIRI welcome this pub
Page 13:
6WHERE NOW FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL DEMO
Page 18:
What is a just society?For a radica
Page 21 and 22:
14WHERE NOW FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL DEM
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44: 36WHERE NOW FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL DEM
Page 48: GrowthandProsperity
Page 56 and 57: Growth Policies for Europe:Is there
Page 58 and 59: JEAN PISANI-FERRY 51and full employ
Page 60 and 61: JEAN PISANI-FERRY 53diminished as c
Page 62: JEAN PISANI-FERRY 55macroeconomic f
Page 80: The NewPolitics ofInsecurity
Page 92 and 93: Freedom in Security:A Social Democr
Page 96 and 97: BRIGITTE ZYPRIES 89appropriate case
Page 98: BRIGITTE ZYPRIES 91dispute regardin
Page 107 and 108: 100WHERE NOW FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL DE
Page 109: 102WHERE NOW FOR EUROPEAN SOCIAL DE
show all

Where Now for European Social Democracy? - Policy Network

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?