After deportation of schoolgirls: Van der Bellen “deeply affected” – Coronavirus Vienna

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen was “deeply concerned” after the deportation of three schoolchildren and their families on Thursday night. “I can’t believe and I won’t believe that we live in a country where this is really necessary in this way,” he said in a video posted on Facebook. “We have to find a way of humane and respectful interaction between us. Especially when children are the main victims.”

In this case, he did not have any formal responsibility, “but he did have a clear position,” the president emphasized in the video message. “To be very clear: all state bodies must, of course, act on the basis of applicable laws,” Van der Ballen said. He does not know the records of the specific process. “But: Wouldn’t there have been a legal margin? What about children’s rights, children’s rights that are guaranteed? Have children been listened to enough?”

He appealed to all “those who have the responsibility here”: “Let us give priority to the well-being of children and young people.”

At the same time, Van der Bellen emphasized that he knew that many share his position: “Mayors, business people, from the unions, state politicians, bishops and pastors, including the Pope. And above all colleagues, teachers and teachers, parents and, of course, many citizens. “

Austria has always been strong, “when we have put unity in the foreground. When there were humane solutions. When reason, a sense of proportion and humanity were the guiding principles of our actions.” This applies to all those who are seriously and very badly affected by the corona pandemic, “but also to well-integrated children.” He appealed to all viewers to maintain this basic attitude in the future: “Let’s first see what is human. Let’s not stop upholding these values.”