The operator of the beach at Heidesee, Matthias Nobela, introduced the rule after swimmers repeatedly ignored safety instructions because they did not understand the language. “I am responsible for the safety of the bathers. If something happens, everyone blames me. Death cannot be undone,” Nobela said.
Critics accuse the beach supervision of effectively imposing a swimming ban on certain population groups under the guise of safety. The city of Halle, in whose territory the lake lies, demanded the repeal of the regulation. Any action that could be perceived as xenophobic harms the city’s reputation, it said. The city instead suggests pictograms or multilingual safety rules.
The right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) took up the issue and published a poster with the slogan: “Those who don’t understand German stay out.” The German Life Saving Association (DLRG) distanced itself from the measure. The operator rejected accusations of racism and pointed to the lake’s particular dangers, with its steep shoreline drop and great depth.
Source: 24tv.ua
