Saxony's state parliament has expressed concern about an increase in hate speech on the internet. On Thursday, parliament passed a motion by the coalition parties to effectively counter hate crime. "The fight against hate on the internet is a permanent task that we take seriously and for which we are increasingly better equipped. We want to increase our presence online in order to uncover potential perpetrators and networks and initiate investigations," explained Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU).
According to Schuster, it is not just about ensuring that criminal content disappears from the internet, but also that its creators are identified and held accountable with the utmost consistency. "This makes it all the more important for people to report and denounce such content. (...) Efficient criminal prosecution is needed to turn reports into investigations and convictions." This is precisely what the Central Reporting Office for Hate Crime on the Internet (ZMI) at the Saxony State Criminal Police Office is for.
"The ZMI has been well received, which is pleasing on the one hand, but on the other hand it shows Unfortunately, the problem is huge," emphasized the minister. Last year, 800 reports were registered, this year there are already well over 1000 reports. "Behind every one of these reports is a person who is insulted, ridiculed and, in the worst case, threatened or discriminated against." Time and again, this hatred affects office holders and elected officials at all political levels and from all political backgrounds.
The fight against the "poison on the internet" is only just beginning, admitted SPD domestic politician Albrecht Pallas in his closing speech.
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