Hate: lightning rod and doormat (nd-aktuell.de)

Destroyed election posters like here in Potsdam 2021 are harmless compared to the agitation experienced by many politicians.

Destroyed election posters like here in Potsdam 2021 are harmless compared to the agitation experienced by many politicians.

Destroyed election posters like here in Potsdam 2021 are harmless compared to the agitation experienced by many politicians.

Photo: imago/Eberhard Thonfeld

There is a wrong understanding of freedom of expression in society, said Steffen Scheller (CDU), Mayor of Brandenburg/Havel on Wednesday in the state parliament in Potsdam. Insults and threats, especially against members of the district councils, had reached such an extent that the decision »I will no longer do this to myself!« could actually be decisive, at least in individual cases, for the rejection of a renewed candidacy. A year and a half before the next municipal elections, the dwindling appeal of the municipal mandate is the subject of a specialist hearing in the state parliament’s internal affairs committee. Across factions, the members therefore spoke out in favor of better protection for municipal officials and elected representatives from intimidation, hate speech and violence. The idea of ​​creating a place for victims of such attacks to turn to met with general approval.

Because individual media also intensified verbal border crossings, the impression arises that this is normal, but what “can only be assessed as out of place,” explained Scheller further. Municipal representatives often have to act as lightning conductors and doormats, even if they are not responsible for specific decisions because they are “perceived as part of the political establishment.” The political language within the representations also encourages verbal brutalization, for example when there is talk of “teaching fears” to another party, according to Scheller.

Left MP Andrea Johlige pointed out the low chances of success for those who wanted to take legal action to defend themselves against insults or hate speech. After a particularly blatant case of insult, she filed 58 criminal charges, and the police identified 49 perpetrators. But 35 procedures were discontinued and three penal orders were issued.

The Cottbus city councilor Barbara Domke (Greens) temporarily broke her voice when she described how she had been followed by a man during the election campaign and massively insulted. Although he had to pay a fine, it shocked her even more that he had put himself forward as a candidate for election. “And he was elected.” Domke said in conclusion: “I won’t give up, I’ll keep going.”

AfD MP Lena Kotrè complained that insulting allegations such as “fascist” or “racist” against representatives of her party were generally classified as “not that important”.

Christina Rauh, co-author of a study on the subject, confirmed that many victims refrain from reporting due to the lack of a chance of success. A high number of unreported cases can be assumed. Out of around 450 insults identified by questioning, only 13 cases were reported as penalties. She advocates treating a criminal offense as such in every case, regardless of which party the victim of hate speech and threat of violence belongs to.

“Hate and agitation have been on our minds since the 1990s,” said Jens Graf, Managing Director of the Association of Towns and Municipalities. “My impression is that it has become tougher.” In earlier years, such acts were committed by right-wing extremists, later the so-called Reich citizens were a problem, some of whom had entered the authorities with weapons. The advisor to the Women’s Political Council, Verena Letsch, spoke of an increased threat to which women in particular are exposed. This endangers democracy and internal security. She recommended adopting a “zero tolerance” attitude. No one should take such a risk by exercising a mandate.

According to the study, 35 percent of elected officials have experienced threats or insults at least once since 2014, women a little more often than men. The problem is more likely to occur in larger cities and communities, said co-author Rauh. In individual cases, there are direct threats of rape or formulations such as: “The bitch must be slaughtered.” She advises filling the position of a confidant and contact person with a woman, says Rauh.


LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here