#GERMANY: Politician On Trial For Using Nazi Slogan At Rally

[world politics news]

Germany (AfD) party in the state of Thuringia, Björn Höcke, will face trial for his alleged use of a banned Nazi slogan.

The use of Nazi symbols or propaganda outside educational and historical contexts is banned in Germany.

It is alleged that Höcke knowingly used a motto of the SA, the paramilitary wing of the Nazi party, at a speech in May 2021.

The accusation is that he ended his speech with the phrase "Everything for Germany," knowing that this phrase was forbidden as one often used by the SA.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SOUTHAFRICA: Groups Call For Quick Passage Of Hate Crimes/Hate Speech Bill

[world politics news]

The Women’s Legal Center and the Triangle Project have called for the speedy passage and implementation of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, to combat crimes perpetrated against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The organizations, making a joint oral submission to the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services, believed that having a specific written law makes it clear that the country rejects hate and prejudice, and protects diversity and equality.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#GERMANY: Gov't Cracks Down On "Hate Speech" Against Politicians

[world politics news]

In a coordinated action, German authorities are cracking down on online hate speech directed at politicians by conducting searches and interrogating more than 100 suspects across Germany, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) said.

The criminal offences were related to insults against nationally known politicians. Other "hate postings" contained misleading fake news and misquotes that “appear suitable for defaming and discrediting the people concerned,” the BKA noted. Two in three victims of online hate speech were female politicians.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#FRANCE: Pres. Candidate Zemmour Convicted Of "Hate Speech" For 2020 Remarks

[world politics news]

A French court has convicted the far-right French presidential candidate Éric Zemmour of inciting racial hatred and fined him for remarks he made in 2020, according to reports.

During a September 2020 TV appearance, Zemmour, now a candidate for president, had made comments about unaccompanied migrants.

"They are thieves, they are murderers, they are rapists, that's all they are, they must be sent back," Zemmour said at the time, referring to "unaccompanied minors" who "have nothing to do in France," according to Politico. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#AUSTRALIA: Gov't To Hold Online Platforms Responsible For Defamation

[world politics news]

Australia will introduce legislation to make social media giants provide details of users who post defamatory comments, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

The government has been looking at holding platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, responsible for defamatory material published on their sites and in September the country’s highest court ruled that publishers can be held liable for public comments on online forums.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: Trudeau Proposes Online "Anti-Hate" Bill

[world politics news]

The Justin Trudeau administration is proposing legal changes in an attempt to crack down on online hate speech in Canada.

The new bill — known as Bill C-36 —would make it easier for victims of hate speech to file complaints against those publishing offensive material online. 

Canadians posting hate speech could also be ordered to pay victims up to $20,000, or they could face fines of up to $50,000 if they refuse to stop.

Civil Libertarians and critics of the Trudeau Administration alike have it raised concerns about the bill's effect on the freedom of expression.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Scottish Parliament Passes Hate Crimes Bill

[world politics news]

A controversial hate crimes bill has passed the Scottish Parliament.  

The Bill, which consolidates previous hate crime laws and adds new offences of “stirring up” hatred against protected characteristics of religion, age, disability and transgender identity, was passed with 82 votes in support, 32 against and four abstentions.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Scottish Parliament To Revise Proposed Hate Crimes Bill

[world politics news] 

Further changes are to be made to the Scottish Government's controversial Hate Crime Bill, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has confirmed. 

The changes will be made in a bid to strengthen protection for freedom of expression.

Holyrood’s Justice Committee last week said amendments to the Bill were still needed before it could be agreed – with Mr Yousaf saying he had accepted the “overwhelming majority of the recommendations”.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#ETHIOPIA: Legislators Approve Bill Banning Hate Speech And Disinformation

[world politics news]

Ethiopia’s House of Peoples  has approved draft legislation on hate speech and disinformation.

About 300 members of Parliament attended the session that approved the legislation. Twenty-three members of the Parliament opposed the bill, and there were two abstain voices – according to state media Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC).

The discussion in the Parliament highlighted that “Good values and relationship between Ethiopians are being eroded because of hate-speech and dissemination of false information. Hate-speech and disinformation are also posing a threat to the country.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Anti-Muslim Britain First Group Leaders Convicted On Hate Speech Charges; Harassed Innocent Muslims, Court Says

[world politics news]

The leader and deputy leader of far-right group Britain First have been found guilty of religiously-aggravated harassment. Paul Golding, 36, and Jayda Fransen, 31, were arrested over the distribution of leaflets and posting of online videos during a Muslim gang-rape trial. They had targeted homes and people in Kent whom they believed were connected to a rape trial at Canterbury Crown Court where three Muslim men and a teenager were convicted of rape and jailed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#GERMANY: Lawmaker May Face Prosecution For "Incitement" Over Anti-Muslim Tweet

[world politics news]

A prominent lawmaker with the nationalist and anti-Islam Alternative for Germany party has run into trouble with police and Twitter over her response to a Cologne police tweet offering New Year greetings in Arabic. Beatrix von Storch tweeted her objections to Saturday's tweet, saying: "Do they think they will calm the barbaric, Muslim, group-raping hordes of men this way?" Von Storch's Twitter account was blocked for several hours Monday over a suspected breach of rules on hate speech. Police Tuesday filed a criminal complaint to prosecutors over suspected incitement. New Year celebrations in Cologne were overshadowed two years ago when hundreds of women complained of being groped and robbed, mostly by groups of migrants.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Leaders Of Anti-Muslim Party Arrested At Hearing On Charges Of "Stirring Up Hatred"

[world politics news]

The deputy leader of far-right group Britain First has been re-arrested after appearing in a Belfast court over a speech she gave in the city. Jayda Fransen, 31, of Anerley, south-east London, was in court over two charges relating to "behavior intended to or likely to stir up hatred." Her lawyer told the court that she intended to plead not guilty. Britain First leader Paul Golding, 35, was also arrested outside the courtroom before the hearing. Golding was accompanying Fransen to the hearing.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#THENETHERLANDS: Leading Anti-Islam Pol. Convicted of "Inciting Hatred" Against Moroccans

[world politics news]

Geert Wilders, whose party is leading in the polls to be the next government of the Netherlands, has been convicted by a 3-judge panel of inciting hatred against Moroccans by leading a chant against that nation's immigrants. Wilders denounced the ruling as a blow against free speech, but the court imposed no penalties and he is unlikely to face any at the polls, either. In fact, the controversial mass immigration of Muslims will likely continue to fuel his party's rise.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Parliament Passes Anti-Islamophobia Motion Amid Rising Attacks

[world politics news]

Parliament has passed a symbolic anti-Islamophobia motion amid increasing attacks on mosques and Muslim communities in the country and throughout the world.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#FRANCE: Parliament Moves To Make Armenia Genocide Denial Illegal

[world politics news]

Denying the Armenian genocide will soon be a crime in France, as the French parliament has passed an amendment criminalizing the denial of all crimes against humanity. Those flouting the law could face a $50,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

#KENYA: Deputy Pres. Ruto Urges Opponents To Respect Judicial System In Hate Speech Case

[world politics news]

Deputy Pres. William Ruto has asked leaders to respect the Constitution and abide by the rule of law when addressing issues. He condemned the opposition Cord coalition for threatening to hold demonstrations if MPs detained over hate speech were not released. Ruto expressed concern that opposition leaders were setting a dangerous precedent when they call for disobedience of the Judiciary.

Pictured: Deputy Pres. William Ruto (left) with Infrastructure Principal Secretary John Mosonik

#JAPAN: Diet Set To Enact Law To Counter Hate Speech

[world politics news]

The Diet, Japan's parliament, is set to enact a bill aimed at countering hate speech during the current session that ends on June 1. The bill is expected to pass the Upper House, with broad support from the ruling camp as well as opposition parties including the Democratic Party. The city of Osaka has also advanced hate speech legislation in response to anti-Korean demonstrations and threats against Korean minorities in recent years.

#THENETHERLANDS: Anti-Immigrant Party Ldr. Wilders On Trial For "Hate Speech"

[world politics news]

Dutch Party For Freedom leader Geert Wilders, an outspoken opponent of Muslim immigration, is on trial for "incitement" and "hate speech" in his native land. The case against Wilders, who was acquitted in 2011 of insulting Islam, centers on anti-immigrant comments he made before and after in local elections two years ago.

#FRANCE: Hollande Vows New Criminal Hate Speech Laws After Paris Attacks

[world politics news]

Pres. Francois Hollande said his country must offer its protection to the French Jewish community, and vowed to introduce tougher penalties for "racist, anti-Semitic or homophobic" remarks in the wake of last month's militant attacks in Paris.

#KENYA: Politicians, Police, Prosecutors Scramble For Stronger Hate Speech Laws, Fearing Ethnic Violence

[world politics news]

Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet has called for heavy punishments to "deter people from making provocative utterances." He joins Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions, and politicians who fear political incitement based on ethnicity could turn into violence ahead of 2017 elections.