Vance criticizes ‘Orwellian’ German regulations
The US Vice President has criticized a German hate speech law following comments from the country’s prosecutors to CBS, who stated that an insult qualifies as a “crime.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The American vice president has urged the US and the EU to dismiss what he described as the “lunacy” of those who “criminalize speech.”
On Monday, US Vice President J.D. Vance warned that the criminalization of free speech in the EU could strain relations between Washington and its European allies. He urged Western nations on both sides of the Atlantic to “reject” such policies.
“This is Orwellian,” Vance stated in a message on X, referencing a CBS interview with three German state prosecutors that aired on Sunday. The interview highlighted Germany’s initiatives to combat offensive online content, with prosecutors asserting that insulting anyone publicly or online is considered a crime in the country.
The prosecutors’ comments came amid recent coordinated raids by German police targeting approximately 50 individuals accused of disseminating hate speech online. According to the prosecutors, individuals convicted of such offenses in Germany face fines or potential imprisonment for repeat violations.
“They don't think it was illegal. And they say, ‘No, that's my free speech’,” remarked Dr. Matthaus Fink, one of the prosecutors, during the interview. “And we say, ‘No, you have free speech as well, but it also has its limits.’”
The prosecutors also noted that courts can mandate the confiscation of electronic devices from offenders, a practice that often leaves individuals “shocked,” according to prosecutor Frank-Michael Laue. He stated, “It's a kind of punishment if you lose your smartphone. It's even worse than the fine you have to pay.”
German law stipulates that individuals who “attack the human dignity of others by insulting, maliciously disparaging or slandering” them in a manner likely to disturb public peace may face up to five years in prison. This legislation primarily targets insults related to race, nationality, religion, or ethnic background but is not confined to those categories.
CBS reported that the German laws explicitly prohibit the dissemination of malicious gossip, violent threats, and fake quotes online, including the sharing of false information, as noted by the prosecutors.
In response to the interview, Vance asserted that “insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.” He urged “everyone in Europe and the US” to “reject this lunacy.”
This statement followed a recent critique by Vance of Washington’s EU allies, accusing them of abandoning fundamental values like free speech and caving to the pressures of their voters while neglecting democratic principles during the Munich Security Conference.
President Donald Trump praised Vance’s remarks, calling his speech “brilliant.” He added, “In Europe they’re losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech,” in comments made on Friday.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, US Vice President J.D. Vance warned that the criminalization of free speech in the EU could strain relations between Washington and its European allies. He urged Western nations on both sides of the Atlantic to “reject” such policies.
“This is Orwellian,” Vance stated in a message on X, referencing a CBS interview with three German state prosecutors that aired on Sunday. The interview highlighted Germany’s initiatives to combat offensive online content, with prosecutors asserting that insulting anyone publicly or online is considered a crime in the country.
The prosecutors’ comments came amid recent coordinated raids by German police targeting approximately 50 individuals accused of disseminating hate speech online. According to the prosecutors, individuals convicted of such offenses in Germany face fines or potential imprisonment for repeat violations.
“They don't think it was illegal. And they say, ‘No, that's my free speech’,” remarked Dr. Matthaus Fink, one of the prosecutors, during the interview. “And we say, ‘No, you have free speech as well, but it also has its limits.’”
The prosecutors also noted that courts can mandate the confiscation of electronic devices from offenders, a practice that often leaves individuals “shocked,” according to prosecutor Frank-Michael Laue. He stated, “It's a kind of punishment if you lose your smartphone. It's even worse than the fine you have to pay.”
German law stipulates that individuals who “attack the human dignity of others by insulting, maliciously disparaging or slandering” them in a manner likely to disturb public peace may face up to five years in prison. This legislation primarily targets insults related to race, nationality, religion, or ethnic background but is not confined to those categories.
CBS reported that the German laws explicitly prohibit the dissemination of malicious gossip, violent threats, and fake quotes online, including the sharing of false information, as noted by the prosecutors.
In response to the interview, Vance asserted that “insulting someone is not a crime, and criminalizing speech is going to put real strain on European-US relationships.” He urged “everyone in Europe and the US” to “reject this lunacy.”
This statement followed a recent critique by Vance of Washington’s EU allies, accusing them of abandoning fundamental values like free speech and caving to the pressures of their voters while neglecting democratic principles during the Munich Security Conference.
President Donald Trump praised Vance’s remarks, calling his speech “brilliant.” He added, “In Europe they’re losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech,” in comments made on Friday.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
