City officials in Halle have moved against a local swimming facility’s requirement that visitors possess sufficient German-language skills, arguing that safety concerns do not justify what they describe as a “blanket exclusion policy”.
Earlier this month, management announced that guests would only be admitted if they could adequately understand German-language safety instructions and rules.
According to the facility’s operator, the measure was introduced following repeated communication difficulties between staff and visitors who could not understand safety instructions. The decision came after a recent incident in which managing director and lifeguard Mathias Nobel rescued a small child from a deep section of the lake.
The management of the site argue that is rule is not mean to discriminate against people or minority groups but to ensure the safety of everyone.
“Our concern is solely that safety-relevant notices and instructions can be understood,” he said, rejecting accusations of discrimination.
The city administration requested that the operator withdraw the rule.
In a statement, Halle officials acknowledged that water safety is a legitimate concern but argued that preventing hazards does not justify “blanket admission barriers” or the exclusion of entire groups of people.
Municipal authorities have also expressed concern that the policy could be perceived as xenophobic and damage the city’s public image.
Citing contractual obligations attached to the facility’s operation, the city argued that the venue must remain accessible to the general public and that private house rules should not undermine its public character.
Instead of language-based admission requirements, city officials have proposed alternative measures including pictograms, multilingual translations, and QR codes that would allow visitors to access pool rules in multiple languages.
Nobel told German media that staff members are already stretched to their limits and cannot reasonably be expected to explain safety regulations individually through translation applications. In some cases, employees with migrant backgrounds have reportedly served as informal interpreters.
The operator insists that admission decisions are made on a case-by-case basis when staff determine that communication about safety-critical matters is impossible.
Criticism has also come from migrant advocacy organisations. The State Network of Migrant Organisations in Saxony-Anhalt (LAMSA) described the rule as excessive and said it disadvantages many residents with migration backgrounds.
