Justice abuse
Insurage lawsuits should be expensive
Tugging critics with hopeless lawsuits to silence them to silence them: This should become more difficult and more expensive in the future.
The Federal Government wants to make so -called intimidation complaints difficult. What is meant are unfounded complaints that aim to suppress displaced contributions to public opinion formation – for example from journalists, scientists or non -governmental organizations. The Federal Ministry of Justice in Berlin published a draft law for the implementation of corresponding EU regulations.
Minister Hubig: Critical debate is important
“Critical reporting, scientific and civil society commitment are elementary for our democracy,” said Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig in a message. “We must not allow such voices to be suppressed with misused lawsuits – just because they do not fit individual.”
The public statements that are to be better protected with the new law are, for example, participation in a demonstration, the publication of an article or a scientific study or a post in social networks.
Fast court decisions and higher costs
Specifically, the courts should decide on obviously abusive complaints as quickly as possible. In addition, such procedures for plaintiffs should become more potentially more expensive, while defendants are to be relieved financially.
The plaintiffs can also be obliged to provide security for the expected defendants. Their legal fees should be able to be reimbursed to a larger scale in the future. The plaintiff should also expect a financial sanction. Decisions in the second and third instance are to be published in anonymous form.
In order for the new regulations come into force, the cabinet must first decide on the draft law, after which the Bundestag is on the train. By August, however, associations can initially comment on the plans.
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
