Is holocaust denial illegal in germany?

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CheGuevara

Yes, it is forbidden.
As well as glorification of the Nazi regime, use of Nazi propaganda or Nazi symbols.

And yes, authorities are enforcing that law. Sometimes with strange effects though. 2 years ago a case went to court about someone making buttons which said "No Nazis" with a crossed out swastika. It was discussed if the use of the swastika is illegal even if it's crossed out, clearly giving a statement against the Nazi regime.

Of course this sounds ridiculous, but I guess it's hard to draw an objective line between forbidden propaganda and and the use for discussion, education or similar.

Wanking Wildstar

yes

Alwin E

It's a difficult topic. The denial of the holocaust is illegal in Germany, as well as to publicly show symbols of the Third Reich, like a flag with a swastika.

In my personal opinion (and I'm far from being right-wing) that's an unnecessary restriction of freedom of speech and should be abolished. I think in no democratic state in the world somebody should be accused for uttering his own opinion. And Germany should least do it, because the concentration camps and the memorials are here for all to see as evidence. If this isn't enough proof for people that the shoah really happened: What can convince them? And what can keep them from bubbling nonsense? Nothing can. You make them martyr figures for their rightwing followers, that's all you do by such a law.

---
> so if there is evidence, why would it be ok to deny?
Because freedom of speech is any person's right in a democracy. -- Aaron, look: I'm an atheist. You say you're a Jew, so I suppose you believe in some kind of God. I say, there is no God. Would you deny my right to say so? But contrary to the evidence for the existence of a God (there is none), there's lots of evidence for the shoah. It's visible to anyone with a scientific mind and open eyes.

Anja H

Yes it is. Please see below and the link for more details.
If you go public with the idea that the holocaust did not happen, then chances are good that the police comes you visit you.

Holocaust denial is illegal in a number of European countries. Many countries also have broader laws against libel or inciting racial hatred, as do a number of countries that do not specifically have laws against Holocaust denial, such as Canada and the United Kingdom. The Council of Europe's 2003 Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cyber Crime, concerning the prosecution of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems includes an article 6 titled Denial, gross minimisation, approval or justification of genocide or crimes against humanity, though this does not have the status of law.

Of the countries that ban Holocaust denial, a number (Austria, Germany, and Romania) were among the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and many of these also ban other elements associated with Nazism, such as Nazi symbols. Additionally, scholars have pointed out that countries that specifically ban Holocaust denial generally have legal systems that limit speech in other ways, such as banning hate speech. In the words of D. Guttenplan, this is a split between the "common law countries of the United States, Ireland and many British Commonwealth, countries from the civil law countries of continental Europe and Scotland. In civil law countries the law is generally more proscriptive. Also under the civil law regime the judge acts more as an inquisitor, gathering and presenting evidence as well as interpreting it".[1]

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