Germany springs to action over hate speech against migrants

[pampango]

Donald Trump may be testing the boundaries of tolerance on the U.S. campaign trail. But here in Germany, the government is effectively enforcing civility, taking aim at a surge of hate speech against refugees and Muslims. As Western Europe’s most populous nation grapples with a historic wave of mostly-Muslim migrants, politicians and activists are decrying a rash of incendiary speech bubbling to the surface of German society. In a country whose Nazi past led to some of the strictest laws in the West protecting minorities from people inciting hatred, prosecutors are launching investigations into inflammatory comments as judges dole out fines, even probation time, to the worst offenders.

The German campaign, perhaps not surprisingly, is meeting stiff resistance from far-right groups, including the extremist National Democratic Party of Germany, which in March will face a hearing to determine whether it should be banned. Yet even leaders on the political left are questioning whether the bid to weed out hate is going too far.

Stefan Körner, chairman of Germany’s liberal Pirate Party, argued that democracies “must be able to bear” a measure of xenophobia. He condemned the government’s deal with social media outlets to get tougher on offensive speech, saying that “surely it will lead to too many rather than too few comments being blocked. This is creeping censorship, and we definitely don’t want that.”

Indeed, proponents of more controls on hate speech here say there is a direct correlation to the vitriol now flying in the German public domain and the sharp spike of attacks on refugee centers. Last year, German police reported 906 attacks against asylum seeker homes, ranging from arson to physical assaults. The figure amounts to more than a fourfold increase, compared with 2014 numbers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/germany-springs-to-action-over-hate-speech-against-migrants/2016/01/06/6031218e-b315-11e5-8abc-d09392edc612_story.html

The representative of the liberal party said it well. It is tough to a balance the need to combat hate speech and the need for freedom of speech. His comment that "democracies “must be able to bear” a measure of xenophobia" in a thoughtful one. I wonder if democracies need to bear a measure of racism and misogyny. Not an easy call.

[philosslayer]

1. Germany has learned from its past

And has taken steps to insure that the more horrible parts of its history aren't repeated. Sadly, the US hasn't learned such lessons and still tolerates hate speech.

[davidn3600]

2. The US has the first amendment, Germany does not.

It's as simple as that.

Either you value the freedom of speech or you don't. Apparently you don't. But our founding fathers fought a revolution to get it. People died to get it.

[Babel_17]

3. Take a stand and keep countering the hate speech

Really remember your past. Passing laws is not the same as fighting. Get out of your offices and get in front of the microphone, and do interviews. Engage with the public. That's what those you oppose are doing.