Taking a Stand Against Online Hate Speech: Saxony-Anhalt Police's Offensive Against Cyberbigotry
Measures enacted in Saxony-Anhalt to combat online hate speech - Twelve approaches aimed at curbing online abuse in the region of Saxony-Anhalt
In a determined effort to combat the rapidly growing issue of online hate speech, law enforcement in Saxony-Anhalt have joined forces in a nationwide operation against everyday internet miscreants. Alongside other German states, Saxony-Anhalt is set to carry out a dozen measures from ongoing investigations, focusing on individuals suspected of incitement, insults, and the use of unconstitutional symbols, as announced by a spokesperson from the Magdeburg-based State Criminal Police Office (Landeskriminalamt). A significant portion of these measures targets right-wing motivated crime.
A nationwide onslaught
A total of 180 police measures are being executed nationwide, spanning over 140 investigations. This morning brought 65 raids against those responsible for spreading hate and incitement on the internet. These actions were coordinated by the Federal Criminal Police Office and took place during the 12th action day against hate speech across all 16 federal states. The measures aimed at curbing all forms of politically motivated crime.
Of the criminal hate speech identified, two-thirds were linked to the right-wing spectrum. Other cases came from areas such as left-wing, religious, foreign ideologies, or unclassified viewpoints.
Empowering the community
For those who find themselves targeted by online bigotry, the State Criminal Police Office of Saxony-Anhalt urges citizens to report hate speech to the providers of social networks and request the removal of criminal content. Filing a complaint with the local police, such as via the eRevier, is also an effective route of recourse.
- Internet hate speech
- Saxony-Anhalt police
- Magdeburg
- Federal Criminal Police Office
- State Criminal Police Office
- Düsseldorf
- Berlin
What's the deal?
Online hate speech has been long recognized as a criminal offense under German law, stretching from inciting hatred and threats, to defamation and other forms of targeted attacks based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. Victims of cyberbigotry have the right to file complaints with local authorities, with the State Criminal Police Office of Saxony-Anhalt taking a lead role in investigating serious crimes within the region.
Law enforcement collaborates with internet service providers and social media platforms in efforts to trace wrongdoers and remove unlawful content. In addition to criminal sanctions, victims may seek civil remedies such as injunctions compelling the perpetrators to remove defamatory or hateful material. Authorities also encourage reporting hate speech to specialized anti-extremism and anti-hate platforms, which liaise with the police in combating this destructive trend.
Saxony-Anhalt's State Criminal Police Office operates in accordance with Germany’s commitment to uphold democratic values and protect individuals from targeted online discrimination and violence, as outlined in broader federal and state policing and legal strategies [1].
- In alignment with Germany's commitment to combat online hate speech, the Saxony-Anhalt State Criminal Police Office is collaborating with various authorities and internet service providers to enforce community and employment policies regarding internet hate speech, as part of the nationwide operation against cyberbigotry.
- This operation, which also involves the Federal Criminal Police Office, aims to curb politically motivated crime across all regions, with Saxony-Anhalt focusing on right-wing motivated crimes in particular. General-news outlets may cover these efforts within the context of the growing issue of online hate speech and the politics surrounding it.
