German Chancellor Angela Merkel has authorised a criminal inquiry into a comedian for insulting the Turkish president. She argues that it is for the courts to ultimately decide in this case, but that her government would try to repeal the obscure law against insulting foreign heads of state so this situation cannot happen in future.
If convicted, TV comedian Jan Böhmermann could face up to five years in prison for reading a “deliberately insulting” poem on German TV. The poem claims, among other things, that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan loves to “repress minorities, kick Kurds and beat Christians while watching child porn.”
Defenders of Mr Böhmermann do not deny that the poem was obscene and insulting, but point out that it was framed as satire, and was deliberately pushing the boundaries in order to highlight an absurdity within German law. The Turkish government has demanded that Böhmermann be punished, calling the poem a “crime against humanity”.
The decision to allow an inquiry into the poem is hugely unpopular among the German public, and Chanceller Merkel has been accused of kowtowing to Ankara’s demands in order to preserve a recent refugee deal with Turkey.
In Turkey, almost 2,000 people – including journalists, celebrities, and schoolchildren – have been prosecuted for insulting President Erdoğan since he came to office in 2014. Critics argue that freedom of speech is seriously under threat in Turkey, as the president is using defamation laws to muffle criticism.
Should it be against the law to insult foreign leaders? What constitutes satire, and what constitutes defamation? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
IMAGE CREDITS: Turkish Presidency
132 comments Post a commentcomment
First of ergodan is a sneaky dictator !
But no one deserves to be humiliated like this ,not even this guy. Common decency is all that is needed , treat others as you yourself would like to be treated.
Should it be illegal , can you sue or follow someone legally for it, no absolutely not. Ergodan should be the better man , grow up , be a big boy and laugh it of, after all hes not the first one to be made fun of, or the last!
Again i dont like ergodan , but the joke went to far.
No.
No…..
She was absolutely wrong, in my view. Especially because the person who asked to prosecute the comedian is Erdogan that is not famous for his respect of people’s freedom.
there is npthing right about that B….h !!!!! she is the devil
Because the safe nuclear energy programe in Turkey is very difficult
I dont get it. How is it possible that she has allowed it? It should be based on thw valid law not on somebodys decision.
It IS based on the valid law, that’s the point.
NO! She was totally WRONG!
You would think that of all countries in the world, Germany would understand the dangers of prosecuting people just for making a joke (even if it is a bad one). Here in Belgium we have a law that allows the prosecution of negationists (people who deny the holocaust ever took place). While detestable, negationism is an opinion and still should be allowed in a country that calls itself a democracy. Ironically, the prosecution of people with the “wrong” opinion is defended most by…. those claiming (whenever they can) to be tolerant and against fascism.
In an non-democratic country? NO!!
It’s called separation of powers ‘Montesquieu principle’! The legislator has provided it in criminal code under para. 103 which must be complied with. Whether anyone personally likes it or not is so irrelevant and uninteresting. As for her, she is in no position to interfere with judicial decisions.
No… She was totally wrong!!!
Nope.
NO. Freedom of speech is a human right.
NO
I heard that she allowed it because she is certain he will be ‘acquitté’ (don’t know the english word, ‘freed’ or so) and that she wouldn’t like to give a sign that she doubts her justice system
No, no, no. She is setting a very dangerous precedent. He is a comedian, for God’s sake!!! She is creating an Europe where we are AFRAID to SATIRIZE (or even criticize) public figures – people that, by submitting to these roles, should acknowledge that they are exposing themselves to public talking, criticism and… JOKES.
She sends a very undemocratic message.everywhere in europe specially in France freedom of speech is more and more restricted and it becomes difficult to express other right party opinion..
If you believe in democracy and freedom of speech NO !
Most turkish people I know do no have any positive things to say about their President. Honestly, if a person can get that “butt-hurt” by anyone, and even going as far as threatening/ asking to file a case against someone who dared speak out an opinion… a
Pains me to see this is what some government heads actually are. Pains me that helping us deal with problems they were elected for has become second to a bunch of whiners shouting out ridiculous statements and accusations to everyone in their immediate environment.
He IS the joke…
NO.
NO.
No. The fundamental right to freedom of speech has supremacy over some medieval law discovered and abused by the EU black-mailer, greedy for EU money, human rights violator of a non-EU country. The EU’s lowering of ethics for Erdogan is both disturbing and shameful.
No
No of course and stop making these stupid questions please!
Crazy, what question is that ??
Freedom of speech, freedom of expression,……
Without the freedom of opinion, criticism of political leaders, we can be crushed by tirany.
barbarians…the lot of them
No.
There is the law n. 103 which forbids to make satire about foreign Head of States in Germany, so Merkel is trying to eliminate it and she is right, but all my support for Jan Böhmermann
That’s a law that needs to go.
Rulers that can’t stand criticism and insults: a good guide to dangerous rulers.
The only guide for cartoonists, satirists, etc: never be unnecessarily offensive.
Every upsetting term or idea should have a point, a reason for being there.
(personally I prefer ice-cold ironic dissection, rather than foul language, for prodding the mighty and the pompous, but that’s really just taste.)
Actually Merkel literarily sacrifice one of her own for the sake of Erdogan perspective of “democracy” and “justice”. What fundamental rights, freedom of speech, European values ? That was just a Middle Age kind of bargain.
Absurd
http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/jan-boehmermann-spectator-reagiert-mit-limerick-wettbewerb-a-1088184.html
Oddly enough her action has totally backfired (perhaps her intention – Mrs Merkel is no fool) and has triggered a great deal more humour from countries which display less media reverence. I am reminded today – the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen – of the Queen’s “appearance” on Splitting Image. I do not think we thought any less of Her Majesty for that. We might have done if she had wanted to perpetrators arrested!
Ofcourse Not
Comme on! The TV in Germany should to change name to MerkelTV. There is not many real information according to the crime of emigrants and now situation with Jan Bohmermann. The European Parlament should organise debate about Freedom in German Media!
.
That is the least of your worries, when Turkey joins Germany in ruling the EU this summer even this page will be under threat.
God save the queen
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/13043680_10209183382400369_3764420517004646028_n.jpg?oh=a1bcaa33a254dbbc7a4207ea6a0ee967&oe=57AF94F8
Erdogan is a dictator who wants to restore the previous version of the Islamic State – the Ottoman Empire. Merkel is a very confused person who doesn’t know what she is doing. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, isn’t it? She literally invited the refugee crisis in Europe and because of this now she is stuck in the position of a reluctant servant of the Turkish dictator, dancing along his tune, doing whatever he orders her to do. She seems to be working hard to break up the European Union, restore Nazism in Germany and impose Sharia law on European citizens. I wonder when she will wake up. I hope Germans shake her off from her deep delusion sooner rather than later. Our continent doesn’t need a repetition of the past! Living once through the pain caused by the Ottoman Sharia law and the Nazis is enough!
No this is against in what we the european believe in against our culture. DEMOCRACY AND THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. ….
NO
Absolutely NOT!
Germany is unfortunately reverting to form using 21st century ‘soft’ approaches to stifle the press, the police, the TV and now comedians.
This is very, very worrying.
no
Mercel admires Erdogan as rappresents the barbarity of her politics in a more cruel way by prosecuting thousands of Kourds applied the marsal Law to the 1/2 of the Turkey so she learns how to rule Europe in the way that the barbarians and antidimocratic entities are ruling without resoect for the human liberty and life.She does the same to the southern countries by economic means and by corrupting the corrupted politicians in order to apply extreme economic measures to steal the wealthess of the weaker countries .Why you think that wouldnt do this to sarisfy her Alter Ego in Barbarity?
By the picture on the two gold thrones you can understand that they are insane both meanwhile their people are suffering.They play the game of Thrones with their countries.
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.
Voltaire..
No. To go against a citizen of her own country, for speaking his truth, to defend that of another dictatorship who has lost all sense of human rights and freedom of expression, is a deviant individual with an agenda that should be more than suspect to those who voted for her.
What is she up to? And why?
But, those who find what she has done is alien to their sense of democracy and freedom, should make sure ‘she’ is prosecuted for leading them into an uncontrolled abyss of peril.
No! Free speech.
“Je suis Charlie” comes to mind and all head of states walking united in Paris against terrorism & in support of freedom of speech! Once more- double standards & hypocrisy? One dictator in cahoots with another one?
Germany’s Constitution- “its supreme basic law” should rule – nothing else!
But does Germany have one and what is Germany- only a democratic parliamentary republic or a constitutional democracy?
Was “Maverick” Merkel knowingly or unknowingly diplomatic, weak & confused?
The unstoppable process in law will hopefully expose & clarify Germany’s flawed “BASIC LAW” and its (un) lawful amendments in 1949 & 1990- once & for all.
* The last & only valid Constitution of the “German Reich” dates back to 1919 until 1945. It was never formally repealed, only “REPLACED” by the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany in West Germany on May 23, 1949 under the “auspice” and “co-signed” by the US/UK & French occupying forces. It therefore cannot be a Constitution of a free & SOVEREIGN Germany! Is Germany therefore technically still occupied & controlled by the US? It seems so.
https://ofthehighest.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/there-is-no-german-reunification-without-applying-the-original-text-of-article-146-gg/
All & any subsequent laws are subordinated- (including criminal laws para 103)- and have to be compliant to its Constitution or “Basic Law”- not the other way around!
Article 5 of the “German Basic law” states & should reign supreme:
(3) Every person shall have the right freely to express and disseminate his opinions in speech, writing and pictures, and to inform himself without hindrance from generally accessible sources. Freedom of the press and freedom of reporting by means of broadcasts and films shall be guaranteed. There shall be no censorship.
It “should” follow that para 103 is unconstitutional! Freedom of speech must be guaranteed- as is common in any global Constitutional democracy!
Let’s wait & see if Germany will/could be judged a still totalitarian regime- or not!
It’s against the german thinking about denocracy..WE germans are quite pissed about it…
Well! Dear Ladies & Gentlemen! Definitiv N0! No Free speech neither! At Least No Free Speech under the Beltline, trespassing Border, Rules and Regulations, but exactly THAT is the Matter of the Fact, of the german.goverment.doof.de as Business as usual holding on N0 Culture = Difficult! Mr(s) Merkel is Nothing Else as just the female Head of a Political “Party” to cover the C/riminal D/ictatorial UNION! Not more or less! DDR 2.0 covering the WW2 Murdering Trial Case! Everyone who isn’t Equal in State of Mind with the german.gov turn to a Enemy of. https://www.cdu.de/artikel/70-jahre-cdu-merkel-lobt-mut-und-klaren-kompass
This is how it looks behind the Curtains … http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-50990547.html
http://www.3sat.de/page/?source=/kulturzeit/tips/164243/index.html
1’ne .de Misere … 3 Times in a Role … http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article12712012/Die-Familie-de-Maiziere-eine-deutsche-Dynastie.html
3 Times Kl00 … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjqLNf_BjnA
Anhand skandalöser Fälle aus ganz Deutschland enthüllen die Autoren Jürgen Roth, Rainer Nübel und Rainer Fromm exemplarisch, wie der Rechtsstaat gefährdet wird, weil die dritte Gewalt nicht mehr funktioniert.
Tatort Deutschland: Marie war als Kind und Jugendliche 15 Jahre lang Opfer brutalster pornografischer Gewalt. Obwohl sie Täternamen und Tatorte nennen kann, verweigert die Staatsanwaltschaft die Ermittlungen. Will man keinen Fall Dutroux in Deutschland? Oder liegt es daran, dass unter den mutmaßlichen Tätern auch hochrangige Juristen sind? In Hessen ist eine der obersten Richterinnen mit ihrem Mann, einem Rechtsanwalt, in eine gigantische Vermögensverschiebung involviert. Warum sich die Justiz mit allen Mitteln gegen Ermittlungen sträubt, weiß nur die hessische Landesregierung. Geldwäsche in Casinos: Seit Jahren laufen Hinweise bei verschiedenen deutschen Staatsanwaltschaften ins Leere. Stattdessen werden Wirtschaftskriminelle, Waffenhändler und Mafiabosse von den staatlichen Spielbanken hofiert und bevorzugt behandelt. Die Justiz schaut weg und der Staat profitiert.
Seilschaften mit Politikern und Wirtschaftsbossen machen es Staatsanwälten einfach, wegzuschauen, wenn sie nicht gar selbst verstrickt sind. Die Autoren zeigen, wie couragierte Bürger sich dagegen wehren und was geschehen muss, damit die Demokratie nicht noch weiter gefährdet wird. http://www.juergen-roth.com/anklageunerwuenscht.html
Never, as an American, the idea of criminalizing speech particularly satire and political speech is a never permitted. Even the idea of it is an attack the most basic rights.
This is one of the only areas where we are more progressive than our German friends.
@Nicholas Daniel
This is also true of Brits, Irish, Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians, South Africans…
Well, yes, but the quality of that satire and political speech…
Thank goodness free speech allows us to satirise that, too!
“Lucifer in the flesh” indeed!
as a historical Box of Pandora Global World Crises … http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article902863/Schaeubles-Mann-an-der-Spitze-von-Europol.html
as a USA Force!??? … Merkels Partei Grenzenlose Kreise …. Daneben gehören Parteien aus nicht-EU der EVP als assoziierte oder beobachtende Mitglieder an. Aus dem deutschen Sprachbereich sind die CDU und die CSU aus Deutschland sowie die ÖVP aus Österreich Mitglieder der EVP, die Schweizer CVP ist assoziiertes Mitglied. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europ%C3%A4ische_Volkspartei
Hi Michaela, you seem very, very busy!
Wouldn’t your best option be to support the AFD and force referendums in all 16 federal states to opt for either an EU exit, and/or demand a long overdue (1949) new German Constitution holding a Volksentscheid- a “binding plebiscite” decided on by ALL Germans on federal level? German “Basic Law” NEVER went through a plebiscite! Many critics consider it a farce & illegal! Of course not Merkel & Schaeuble & Co. Man muss sich nur auf das Wesentliche konzentrieren!
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/03/20/every-member-state-should-have-an-eu-referendum-urges-afd-mep/
http://www.welt.de/regionales/frankfurt/article117285859/Die-Goldene-Bulle-wird-Welterbe.html
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/rhein-main/frankfurt/boerse-frankfurt-bulle-mit-bunsenbrenner-angezuendet-13634362.html
No, she wasn’t!
https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=759582014163589&set=pb.100003353921179.-2207520000.1461257004.&type=3&theater
What is ABOUT Debating EUROPE!??? … https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=670891119699346&set=pb.100003353921179.-2207520000.1461257069.&type=3&theater
Frankfurt am Main “Big” Apple … https://web.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588788131242979&set=pb.100003353921179.-2207520000.1461257678.&type=3&theater
Yes, she was!! Different opinions are bullshit!!
……………..different opinions are normal & tolerated in a (mature) democracy- b/s are the measures used by dictators in a “totalitarian democracy”- which you obviously prefer!
http://www.3sat.de/page/?source=/kulturzeit/themen/156104/index.html
She’s definitely wrong. Aside the fact that Erdogann is a dictator and prevent free press in Turkey!!
Yes, she was!!. Can that comedian or any comedian in Europe do the same against any leader in Israel?. Freedom in Europe is allowed against all except Israel!!!!!
………….why not? Try it- do it- if you have the wits!
There is no prosecution so far. There is an investigation. And the law is the law is the law, and the German constitution is what it is. Notably, it includes a separation of powers, as in it’s courts which decide if something was permissible or not.
Germany has- globally compared- not even a valid Constitution- only a ~ 60x illegally amended Basic Law, agreed on not by a plebiscite but copied, pasted & co-signed by the 3 winning Allies in 1949!
Germany could be considered- theoretically- not even a sovereign country yet, but still occupied by the US and all treaties signed so far by government declared illegal & not binding! Surprise? Maybe someone needs to test that in the ECJ?
@Oliver Hauss
Politicians should NOT have the right to dictate who should or not be prosecuted. The judiciary and the sate should be SEPARATE!
Both are nice Leader in the world
@Ayaz Chughtai
LOL!
Freedom of speech. The leader of a different country has no right to be offended. Especially autocratic Erdogan, who is blackmailing Europe with migrants for a hobby.
Just where will this blackmail end, firstly Erdogan demands billions of euros in return for stopping the migrants crossing to Greece,which he won’t,next he demands unlimited visas for his nationals in return for stopping the migrants,which he won’t,now he want’s anyone who dares to mock him prosecuted.Back in the good old days we would have sent a flotilla of gunboats up the Dardanelles and leveled Istanbul,that’s the only language a deranged old despot like him understands.
Shame on Merkel
Yes, she was.
………it is sad that (many) Germans are still so under informed! Too much EU propaganda?
Merkel und ihr Gebieter.
DEN SESSEL HATTE MERKEL GERNE IN BERLIN;;;;;FUR SICH ALLEINE;;;;
…………………..man kann/soll lieber in Zukunft die AFD waehlen & Merke’s Sessel die Fuesse abschneiden- oder?
No she wasn’t. Comedy or media have nothing to do with global/ international politics. While comedy is wholly for entertainment purposes it is also can also be used as a measurement for freedom of speech!
Doorgaan met belediging van mensen is dat een aspect van vrijheid ?..,of een aspect van beschaving?,of is dat een manier van leven geworden.Ik vraag me af of een rechter moet afgeschaft worden in ons samenleving,het is absurd dat iedere mag alles zeggen en roepen tegen mensen die hij of zij niet zien zitten .Ik vind dat Merkel haar plicht naar behoren heeft gehandeld .De rechter gaat verder beslissen wat mag en niet volgens de wet die voor alle burgers geldt.
Mohamed, De vrijheid van meningsuiting wordt beschermd en een fundamenteel recht van de mens in elke democratie . Een satiricus het kader van zijn / haar artistieke vermogen om criticize- met cynische humor- elke ( openbare ) figuur het maken van een dwaas van hem zelf. Normaal gesproken is de benadeelde partij heeft de optie van een rechtbank om beschuldigingen van laster te leggen.
Duitslands Merkel is niet de bedoeling om op te treden als Turk Erdogans advocaat te doen dat- hij kan doen dat zelf ! De ” Grondwettelijk Hof ” van het land uitspraak in de gevallen waarin een wet niet in overeenstemming is of wordt toegepast in strijd met de grondwet te geven .
C’è in paragrafo di lesa maestà, la Cancelliera non poteva agire diversamente. Ora dipende dai magistrati se aprire un processo oppure no. La Cancelliera ha anche detto che il § 103 in questione, non è più conforme ai tempi. Sembra che non ci sarà nessun processo. Un despota come Erdogan che calpesta i diritti umani e perseguita i media che gli sono contrari non può appellarsi al § 103. Un despota è un despota, pertanto Erdogan e un tiranno, un dittatore, un oppressore, la magistratura tedesca non lo asseconderà.
In my opinion, everybody should be allowed to say whatever they want. But for the sake of being a democracy, everybody should be able to denounce whatever they thing it deserves a punishment. And then it is a judge’s job to decide if it deserves or not to be punished or not. It is definetely not the government’s job to decide it. In my opinion, that’s what happened.
No.
In my opinion it should not be against the law. Obviously this is the opinion of Merkel herself, as this law exists no more in Germany after this situation. But at the moment of complain it existed and this is why Merkel let the prosecution begin. She just did deal the situation by law. I watched the show of Böhmermann and although the text was humiliating, he presented it as something which should not be read during broadcast /by law/ and said this several times that this is an unacceptable text and that he was reading it to make the difference between acceptable and un acceptable by law. Now is up to the german court to decide if he broke the law or not. I think that the conviction will be “not guilty” and this would be right. As for Erdogan, he is and will remain to be an egocentric dictator.
Growing up in East Germany Merkel has a strong positive attitude towards dictatorships. So she permanently ignores the constitution. . It’s more than overdue that she should be kicked off as chancellor.
No way!!
There is a fine line between a acceptable ” insult ” and afirmations against a person . In this case its not comdedy but just insults, hidden behind comedy , and if someone would make such statements against me , and if the law allows i would require a criminal prossecution without a doubt .
@Carlos Em Lisboa
Written like a true Latin from a country familiar with dictatorship!
In astratto ha sbagliato ma, se le cose vanno come tutti sperano, botte piena e moglie ubriaca…
Frau Merkel is outa her mind in the last 1 year.
Rule of law! Freedom of the jurisdiction. Yes, she was.
@ Andreas May “Rule of law?”- But which one?
“Je suis all artists, satirist & critics globally” including Mr. Böhmermann!
*Tayyip Erdoğan is miles out of order by protecting his absurd & dictatorial actions to demand from Merkel- or any other self respecting politician of a sovereign country- a criminal prosecution of non Turkish citizens in their home country? Separation of power- yes.
*It is TE who should be investigated for breaching HR Laws & EU accession suitability!
* Why did Merkel- so obediently- consent promptly? It seems “equally” absurd. How well does she know her own German “Basic Law”?
*To label satire (against him) a “crime against humanity” shows his delusional and different & dangerous cultural thinking. This affair is utmost ridiculous & an EU farce and put’s the verdict against Apartheid to shame!
*Can he (TE) still be considered a “serious” & equal EU candidate? Is he able to understand and willing to comply with all basic UN human right laws or the EHRC? Did he ever read & interpret them with reason or does he consult the Qua ran?
*Here is Article 19 from UNHR:
“Free to say what you want. We all have the right to make up our own minds, to think what we like, to say what we think, and to share our ideas with other people.” There is still everyone’s own sovereign Constitution to comply with.
*How long will it take a “seriously humanitarian minded EU” to take a stand against neo Sultan Erdoğan demands? Is NATO, the US, the EU with its enlargement policy & refugees more important & the price to pay?
@ EU reform- proactive April 21st, 2016
xxxxxxx
‘Germany has- globally compared- not even a valid Constitution- only a ~ 60x illegally amended Basic Law, agreed on not by a plebiscite but copied, pasted & co-signed by the 3 winning Allies in 1949!
Germany could be considered- theoretically- not even a sovereign country yet, but still occupied by the US and all treaties signed so far by government declared illegal & not binding! Surprise? Maybe someone needs to test that in the ECJ?’
xxxxx
What you have written above is why Obama and his crew are in a panic at the idea of the British voting to leave the EU. They are in such a panic that they have sent their unelected by us in the UK spokesman to have the nerve to slip into Britain on the Queens birthday to tell us all we must not vote to leave. Added to their unasked for advice are not too well veiled threats should we decide to out. As it was a deal done with the UK in tow.
Should we vote for out, it will weaken, not only strategically the US political power over us all, it will weaken the EU as some other nations will be more likely to free themselves of their control over us with NATO.
You have to say we Brits have at our fingertips, the ability to free ourselves of the overwhelming oppression we have been living with under the globalisation policy that is bending our minds to accept a slave planet.
Catherine Hi,
you got it 100%! The nervousness of the US & all US/EU co- conspirators are in panic mode! It is so obvious! Any good psychologist would be able to look through & through the whole plot & its dishonest politicians! They fear for their lively-hood!
Yes, hopefully every Brit (& others) is/are fearless enough to “do the right thing” & explode the whole plot once & for all!
Catherine, just to add:
After hearing Obama- he is surely confirmed the best & perfect salesman for corporate America, the EU & their aims! Despite his usual eloquent, charming, rousing & convincing speeches- like to reject pessimism and cynicism, young (only?) people to work together and avoid isolationism- did he address all unemployed, struggling and aging people in old age homes equally? They do not count as “useful” voters?
His aim was obvious to keep the establishment on top, the present EU/US/NATO concept alive and the rest of the folks “sedimented” at the bottom! Brilliant salesman! UK has a godsend choice- now or never!
He wrongly and (hopefully) in vain insinuated that the OUT folks call for isolation, are xenophobic or intent to roll back the rights of people- with threats to “back of the queue”- while the opposite is more likely!
Surely, most just want the over eager social & bloated EU bureaucracy of their backs, the economy flourishing, less unemployed and to regain sovereignty to negotiate from a position of strength a whole new EU concept with a human touch- not to kill or abolish whatever was positive & helpful!
ΝΟ
First of all democracy is a joke where ever u live, there is no true democracy….secondly, look at her body language, notice how she’s sitting, she thinks she’s weaker than him!!…..
no !
No, she is a traitor to freedom!
Did anybody actually read past the headline?
Firstly, she didn’t authorise a prosecution, but a criminal investigation – entirely appropriate when a complaint has been made.
Secondly, she has said that her government would try to repeal the law that enables the prosecution anyway.
So, climb down off your high horses about freedom of speech – she avowed her dissatisfaction with the law as it stands.
Steve, did Merkel or anybody in Germany actually learn anything from the court case of the two German freelance journalists Thomas Datt and Arndt Ginzel ?
“The pair was convicted of criminal defamation in 2010; an appeals court overturned the sentence in 2012- ruling that the criticism amounted to constitutionally protected freedom of expression”.
An example in law existed. Para 103 (& others) were however never legally challenged and declared unconstitutional then- why?
While deformation is mostly dealt in a civil court & is a private matter around the world- “advanced” Germany is lagging and obviously not eager to update its laws or Constitution. More importantly, it enlarges its economic influence & the EU first?
Did Erdogan appoint Merkel as his attorney to act on his behalf & at what fee? Very strange!
http://legaldb.freemedia.at/2014/09/11/on-trial-for-criminal-defamation-german-freelance-journalists-faced-existential-threat/
@Steve Handley
Politicians should NOT be involved with the judiciary. Such behaviour is anti-democratic and probe ton abuse e.g. Naziism or in the near future EUISM!
Yeah se was come on that’s why we call comedy
She is wrong one again, just a log on a bonfire of incompetence
No !!!!
It surprises me how soon they forgot Charlie Hebdo facts. In that case they reaffirmed the importance of free speech which is essential for an efficient and true democracy. There is no doubt that that article, who belongs to another era (1800? Was Bismark still alive?), is unconstitutional and should be revised as soon as possible, instead of applying it!
We need to defend our freedom and our democratic values. There is a short boundary between satire and defamating writing, but insulting someone, even such a head of State, should be condemned by a moral point of view, not a legal one. Merkel shouldn’t kowtow to Erdogan: he still gets lots of money from EU, that’s enough to mantain his allegiance. In difficult times such these, we need to preserve democratic values, and basic freedom.
Madam Merkel was not right at all to gave in to Islamic (Edogan) demand. You see, women are easy prey to perversion that is why no woman is to be a leader of men because they are weak in their thoughts and quick to give off. Anyway, that is okay for the German to be lead by women. That is part of their punishment. Thank you.
Seriously? you are asking? Need we remind that people got shot for the right to satirize? Erdogan likes to think of himself as a Sultan, but the way he blackmails Europe and deals with opposition just shows he’s a bully and tyrant. There, I insulted him, prosecute me as well!
Ruuuuuuuuuaaaa.
Totally wrong.
She has her reasons, which are very serious btw, but Europe is Free Speech.
and a lot of people died for a fair judical system. and blame our European politicans for being unable to solve the problems with asylum and helping refugees.
No
NO!
NO… What’s wrong with this lady?!? “Open door policies”… allowing “Visa free travel” into Europe (Schengen’s Europe) from Turkey… pressure from everywhere… Turkey in the south-east… Brazil and all south America in the south-west… Africa in the south… etc etc… Asia… pressure from everywhere… Europe is being stretched to the limit… it’s FULL UP… it’s turning into a timebomb ready to explode… and in the face of this, NOW WE CAN’T EVEN MAKE JOKES AND HAVE A SENSE OF DARK/IRONIC/SARCASTIC HUMOR??? :-P How frustrating :-(
Não.
No as such a dictator who is not allowing freedom of speeach in his country and who is not able to stop terror is not acceptable. He is accepting so high level of women and children violence in Turkey. This agreement is not right. I m definitely AGAINST visa free entrance because it will make refugee problem much bigger. To accept their request about visa free entrance is very wrong decission.
No – It is shocking.
This is comedyyyyyyyyy. It s not possible to sit at one table or speak about visa free entrance with such a goverment.
Since there is a relevant law and he broke it, as per his own admission, yes, Merkel was right. It’s the same law that applies for everybody. And sorry but I don’t see how swearing constitutes any comedy at all.
Of course the decision to prosecute is wrong though some good may come from it if the German Judges send a clear message to all that freedom of speech is a value held by all civilised societies .
Turkey by the way does not fit into the civilised society club and should not be given any concessions like visa free entry by the EU . We are all going to hell
NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Freedom of speech is like pregnancy, either you have it or not. There is no ‘but’ because it would reduce your freedom of speech to nothing. Most of the european countries still use medieval laws like this. And btw Merkel is no longer Charlie?
Frustrated dictators are the most dangerous, learn from Hitler’s case who was rejected from Art School, or Stalin who had few physical issues. Erdogan use to charge people for insulting him in Turkey, even a like on facebook can be an accusation.
Merkel must go home and people of Europe must act to remove these kind of nazi-medieval laws because… 2016.
Erdogan is a dictator Visa free entrance will make definitely bigger arrival of immigrants and it will make possible for terorits to came to Europe easier.