The U.S. State Department’s 2024 Human Rights Report has drawn sharp reactions in Germany, where officials strongly rejected accusations of limiting freedom of expression. The report alleged that restrictions on speech had worsened in the country, citing police investigations into online comments.
and posts as evidence.
One widely discussed case involved a 64-year-old man fined €825 after his home was raided for sharing a meme that mocked former Economy Minister Robert Habeck. Other incidents of citizens facing legal consequences for online remarks have fueled debate about whether Germany’s laws against hate speech are being applied too broadly. Reports suggest that some politicians themselves have referred critical posts to law enforcement.
Berlin has asserted that these measures align with democratic norms and aim to counteract antisemitism and politically motivated threats. Government spokesman Steffen Meyer said there is “a very high degree of freedom of expression” in Germany, dismissing Washington’s claims as unfounded.
The report also noted rising political violence, with data showing that members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) were the primary targets of physical attacks, numbering over 800 in a year. Opposition leaders have echoed concerns about narrowing debate. Jens Spahn, parliamentary group leader for the CDU, warned that discussions on migration and integration are at risk of becoming taboo, which he argued could harm open discourse in a “pluralistic society”.
There appears to be a divide in public sentiment. Surveys indicate that nearly half of Germans believe they cannot voice their opinions freely without consequences. Simultaneously, the government has bolstered its stance by emphasizing that legal action aims to safeguard vulnerable groups and uphold democratic order.
