Brussels, 05/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - MEP Cem Özdemir (German Green member of Turkish origin) announced in Thursday's Il Corriere della Sera that he intends to take before Parliament the matter of the questionnaire which, as of 1 January 2006, must be filled in by foreigners of Islamic religion residing in Baden-Württemberg who wish to obtain German nationality (questions put to them are, for example: What would you do if your son admitted he is homosexual and wants to live with a man? Would you prevent your wife/daughter/sister from dressing like the other German women? What would you do if your daughter/sister tells you she has been sexually harassed?). These new rules must be withdrawn, Mr Özdemir says, reproaching the interior minister with seeking to “combat fundamentalism with fundamentalist methods”.
In a press release, French Socialist Adeline Hazan expressed indignation regarding the presentation of a working document aimed at reforming the French code for entry and residence by foreigners and the right of asylum. The document mainly makes the conditions for family reunification tougher and introduces requirements when it comes to “daily behaviour” and immigrants' knowledge of French. These “subjective criteria of assessment are close to racism”, the MEP protests, denouncing the creation of a “new visa - abilities and skills” which, she maintains, confirms a vision close to that of “brain pillaging”.