Concerns Raised Over Potential Youth Radicalization at Refugee Shelter

The local government in Neukölln is expressing significant concerns regarding plans to establish a refugee accommodation center in a repurposed office building on Hasenheide. The district's mayor has called upon the Senate to reconsider its decision to house a large number of young refugees at this location.

In a statement, the mayor emphasized the necessity for the Senate to take into account the apprehensions voiced by local officials, stating that they are intimately familiar with the challenges faced in their communities. The mayor highlighted the importance of understanding the dynamics of the neighborhood to assess its capacity to manage such housing projects effectively.

The Senate's proposal includes the conversion of a former office building into a facility that would accommodate approximately 1,100 refugees, alongside an initial reception and clearing center for the education and family administration, which would provide additional placements for 230 unaccompanied minor refugees. However, local authorities have raised alarms about the implications of this plan.

The mayor specifically warned that the area surrounding the well-known Hermannplatz, which has a reputation for crime, poses a risk for the radicalization of youth. He underscored the collective responsibility to safeguard young refugees, asserting that the Hasenheide location is particularly unsuitable for a clearing facility. The mayor urged educational authorities to seek out safer environments where young individuals can find constructive and non-violent opportunities.

In response to these concerns, the Secretary of State for Youth and Family has indicated that discussions with social services are currently taking place, aimed at addressing all facets of the accommodation strategy for the Hasenheide site. The focus of these talks includes evaluating the decline in the numbers of unaccompanied minor refugees and whether utilizing the venue as a central distribution hub for these minors is both economically viable and practical.

Efforts are underway to develop solutions that incorporate feedback from district representatives. An upcoming community meeting is scheduled for the evening of June 30, where residents can express their views regarding the refugee accommodation center, which is expected to commence operations around the end of 2026 or early 2027.