32 suicide attempts and three suicides by refugees in Saxony

The Saxon authorities recorded 32 suicide attempts and three suicides by refugees last year. This is according to an answer from the Ministry of the Interior to a question from MP Nam Duy Nguyen (Left Party). He represents the areas of asylum and migration policy in the Left Party parliamentary group in the Saxon state parliament.

Minors also attempt suicide

"The debate on asylum and migration is heated, often sweeping and abstract. However, the depressing figures on suicide attempts and suicides also show that it is always about people and their fates," explained the parliamentarian. It is particularly concerning that minors have also attempted suicide.

"Migration is often linked to terrible experiences of violence, mental illness, fear and despair. Suicide attempts cannot be explained by the threat of losing a few hundred euros in social benefits - these payments are wrongly presented in the media debate as a reason for flight," emphasized Nam Duy Nguyen.

The threat of deportation is also perceived as violence

"Those who are facing deportation and injure themselves may fear far worse in the destination country: death then seems less serious than what can threaten them there," said the MP. Everyone who speaks out on the subject of migration should keep this in mind. The threat of expulsion is also an experience of violence for those affected.

A 34-year-old Syrian man killed himself in Leipzig in May 2024. He was housed in an apartment. Two other deaths involved young men from Afghanistan - aged 24 and 25 - who were living in shared accommodation. According to the Ministry of the Interior, there are no reliable findings on motives and backgrounds.

Four rejected asylum seekers attempted suicide in detention pending deportation in Dresden, three of them even twice. In a facility for underage refugees in Leipzig, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old attempted to end their lives.

Left-wing politician calls for psychosocial support services to be maintained

The Left-wing politician appealed to the Saxon government not to cut psychosocial support services for refugees as planned. "Suicide attempts show how necessary professional help is for refugees too. The relevant organizations must be given access to the facilities."