Germany’s approach to freedom of speech and crime is undergoing new scrutiny as authorities continue to crack down on online speeches, as they are generously manifesting on violent crimes, particularly cases involving immigrants. The contrast was further highlighted as CBS aired footage of German police raiding private homes and seizing electronic devices on memes.
The footage shows six armed officers storming an apartment in northwestern Germany and confiscated the suspect’s laptop and phone. Prosecutors argue that individuals were involved in posting racist cartoons online. This is an act that is considered illegal under Germany’s strict hate speech laws. At the same time, more than 50 similar attacks took place across the country as authorities tried to implement censorship measures against online speeches.
“It’s not a crime to slander someone, and criminalizing speeches would put a real burden on our relationship with Europe. This is Orwellian, and the European and American Vice President JD Vance said. It joined the argument that everyone has to refuse this. Insanity.”
Dr. Matthäus Fink, one of the state prosecutors responsible for overseeing Germany’s online hate speech law, explained the approach the authorities took. “People are surprised that this is illegal,” he said. “They say it’s free speech, but we tell them that there is a limit to free speech.” The law not only poses direct threats, but also offensive remarks and controversy. It prohibits reposing content that is brewed, or even preferring certain posts.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz rekindled debates on Germany’s freedom of speech and democracy after his clash with Vance at the Munich Security Conference. On Saturday, Scholz rejected what was called “outsider” interference in German elections after Vance criticised Europe for shutting down far-right parties. The prime minister, who voted by the state on February 23, defended Germany’s strict stance on including the far right in the government coalition.
Scholz directly addressed Vance’s statements, recalling his visit to the US Vice President to the Dachau concentration camp, where Vance reaffirmed his commitment to “never again” to allow such a crime. Scholz argued that the commitment is incompatible with supporting the far-right alternative to Germany’s (AFD) party.
“The ‘never again’ commitment cannot be reconciled with AFD’s support,” Scholz said. “That’s why we support this party that we don’t accept outsiders who intervene in democracy, our elections, and the formation of democratic opinions.”
Scholz’s statement comes amid growing controversy over Germany’s freedom of speech and the handling of political expression. Critics have reportedly reported on immigrants who are actively pursuing individuals for online speeches, despite committing serious crimes and fully released. He claims it has come up repeatedly. This disparity has encouraged public frustration by questioning government priorities.
Vance had accused Germany of restraining free speech by excluding political parties expressing strong concerns about immigration. “Democracy is based on the sacred principle that people’s voices matter,” he told the conference, claiming that democratic systems “has no firewall space.”
