Nix Foreigners' Advisory Committee

This time around there will be no election of a Foreigners' Advisory Committee in Roßdorf.

Although it might seem like a bad day for democracy, it masks a more positive message.  Those foreign residents who have been involved in discussions have made it clear that they already feel adequately represented and that there are no pressing issues that are not already being taken care of by the existing council bodies.

It will be interesting to watch how the influx of refugees and asylum seekers impacts this.  Once registered with the council, they are resident and therefore would be within the scope of the Foreigners' Advisory Committee.

Council promotes information event for election of Foreigners' Advisory Committee

Well done to the local Council.  Gemeinde Roßdorf has taken the trouble to plan and announce an information event about the forthcoming election of a Foreigners' Advisory Committee (Ausländerbeirat).  And after only a very slight nudge they were good enough to make the announcement in German and then in English.

The link to the German version is here:

The link to the English version is here:

I wonder if anyone other than me will turn up.  Here's hoping.

Not-so-general Election

7 May 2015 will mark the General Election in the UK – I will not be voting. 

Disenfranchisement

Despite being a British citizen, born in the UK and having a British passport, I have been disenfranchised by the British state since 2010 and have no right to vote in the UK. 

Right to vote lost whilst living abroad

British citizens living outside the UK are allowed to continue voting in the UK for a maximum of 15 years.  After this point they become disenfranchised, but do maintain their citizenship.
The 15 year period has been shorter and longer and is set at the discretion of Parliament.  The limited period of enfranchisement is intended to reflect a disconnection of overseas elector with the UK.

Contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity ... To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors”.  The UK ratified the ICCPR in 1976, but continues to ignore its commitments to expatriate citizens by disenfranchising them after a 15 year period of non-residence.

If you have the chance to vote, make sure you use it.  If not, don’t bother trying to write to your MP – you haven’t got one.

Local elections coming up soon - April 19

On 19 April we will have both the mayoral election in Roßdorf (for the Bürgermeister) and the election of the leader of the regional parliament (for the Landrat).

According to Article 30 of the Hessische Gemeindeordnung (HGO), Germans and other European Union citizens who are resident in Germany have the right to vote.  Of course, in a truly democratic system nationality would not play a role - all residents would have the same rights.

As this is not yet the case, there are three steps that we can follow:

• encourage those who have not been disenfranchised to use their vote;
• by establishing an Ausländerbeirat give a voice to those who would otherwise be excluded from local and regional decision making;
• lobby for the extension of the franchise for regional and local elections irrespective of nationality.

On the 19 April, for those who can - use your vote.

Phase III - successfully completed

At the meeting of the Roßdorf town council (Gemeindevertretung) on 27 February 2015, the written questions (Anfrage) about the establishment of the foreigners' representation committee (Ausländerbeirat) were duly answered. The written answers follow:

Thanks were expressed for the answers and the positive tone was noted.  As a follow on question, I took the chance to ask how many asylum seekers and refugees would a) be entitle to vote and b) be eligible as candidates at the forthcoming election.  The period of residency required is 3 months and six months respectively and stateless residents are also eligible to take part.  The Mayor agreed to answer off-line, once the figures had been estimated.

I will ask the Mayor if I can join the meeting on 19 March at Roßdorf town hall.

Ausländerbeirat Phase III underway

The next step in the process to establish an Ausländerbeirat (foreigners' advisory council) in Roßdorf is underway. Phase III in the plan is get the council to explain what it plans to do in order to round up enough candidates for the election in November 2015. This is being done via an enquiry (Anfrage) asking the council what steps they plan to take.