THE German Interior Ministry continues to defend its controversial and widely criticised plans to restrict the speech, travel and economic activity of political dissidents.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BFV), the German domestic intelligence service and political police, have sacrificed substantial popular regard in the face of this campaign.
According to a poll published last month, a plurality of Germans believe that the BFV is being misused for political purposes. The sentiment is prominent across all parties, except the Greens, who believe that all is well with the Federal Republic.
The BFV chief, Thomas Haldenwang, has taken to the pages of the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper to defend the conduct of his office and his plans to shape the 'thought and speech patterns" of ordinary people through official repression.
The thing about "freedom of expression," Haldenwang said, is that 'it is not carte blanche for enemies of the constitution.'
Recently, public discourse has repeatedly featured headlines and articles calling the work of the BfV into question. There is talk of an 'opinion police', a 'language police' and even a 'government security service'.
Some claim the BFV discredits political opinions 'on command' as extremist as soon as they depart from social and political mainstream narratives, or when they embark upon criticism of government action or the work of the democratic parties.
One thing should be unmistakably clear: freedom of opinion prevails in Germany - and that is a good thing. Freedom of opinion is a fundamental element of our constitution and one of the greatest assets of our liberal democratic order. As such, it is also protected by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
This story is from the Issue 45 - May 2024 edition of The Light.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 45 - May 2024 edition of The Light.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The invention of intersex
Controversial sexologist a pioneer in transhumanism
Ethiopia paves way for digital currency
ETHIOPIA recently moved closer to launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) after the Council of Ministers voted to approve a revised draft proclamation.
The bright side of sunshine
Don't hide from nature's gift for good health
Illiteracy in the age of covid
Without critical analysis we are as vulnerable as sheep
History crying lone wolf
Joining the dots leads to uncomfortable questions
To vote or not to vote...
Subverting the narrative: the Independents' Day general election of July 2024
Are LED lights safe?
Study claims that the lights are toxic to the eyes and body, causing cancer, and may not even save energy
Payout for scientist fired for refusing jab
Jury awards $687,000 to researcher who rejected demand to be injected
A direct approach to democracy
It doesn't have to be just one vote every five years
Digital takeover of our bodies
Hacking humans to harness our energy