It is a slap in the face for Interior Minister Nancy Faeser: The Federal Administrative Court has stopped the ban on the “Compact” magazine in an expedited procedure – at least for the time being.
The Federal Administrative Court has temporarily lifted the ban on the right-wing extremist magazine “Compact” in an expedited procedure. The court in Leipzig announced this. There are doubts as to whether the ban is justified “under proportionality criteria,” the court in Leipzig announced on Wednesday in response to the expedited procedure. Possible milder measures by the state should first be examined.
This means that the paper can be published again for the time being under certain conditions. A final decision will be made in the main proceedings. The court expressed doubts about the proportionality of the ban.
Faeser sees “Compact” as a mouthpiece for right-wing extremists
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) banned “Compact” on July 16. She justified the action by saying that the paper was a “central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene”. The ban shows “that we are also taking action against the intellectual arsonists who are stirring up a climate of hatred and violence against refugees and migrants and who want to overthrow our democratic state”.
“Compact” had filed a lawsuit and an urgent application against the immediate enforcement of the ban. The Federal Administrative Court is the first and last instance for lawsuits against bans on associations. The court has now decided on the urgent procedure.
The court is examining the chances of success of the lawsuit “summarized.” The Federal Administrative Court said that these appeared to be open. The court now emphasized that an anti-constitutional attitude was evident. Many of the contributions also revealed “a combative, aggressive attitude toward elementary constitutional principles.” In particular, there were indications of a violation of human dignity.
DJV welcomes court decision
However, there are doubts as to whether all of this is so significant that the “Compact” ban is justified in terms of proportionality. The ban would lead to the immediate cessation of all print and online offerings, for which there are high hurdles.
The German Journalists’ Association (DJV) sees the decision as a clear commitment to the fundamental right of freedom of the press. “This makes it clear that the Compact ban was a political hasty decision that backfired today,” said DJV Federal Chairman Mika Beuster. “It may be a long time before a court decision is made on the main issue.” Faeser must wage her justified fight against right-wing extremism while respecting the basic rights enshrined in law. Otherwise the political damage would be immense.
Note: This post has been updated.
Source: Stern
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