The German government passed a new law on Wednesday making hate-motivated insults a criminal offence punishable with a monetary fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
Germany’s justice minister said the new law is meant to protect Jews, Muslims, gays, people with disabilities and others.
“It is our responsibility to protect every single person in our society from hostility and exclusion,” Christine Lambrecht said.
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| Christine Lambrecht |
The new measure, which still needs to receive parliamentary approval, includes insulting hate messages sent as texts, emails or letters.
“Members of Jewish or Muslim communities are being taunted and disparaged,” Lambrecht said.
The move comes as hate crimes and attacks against minorities have been on the rise in Germany in recent years.
Source: euronews
