Online Crackdown in Germany: Actions Against web-based Hate Speech and Provocation - Initiatives Extend to Schleswig-Holstein as Well

Action Day Against Hate Speech in Schleswig-Holstein

The State Police of Schleswig-Holstein participated in a nationwide action day against criminal hate speech on June 25, 2025. This was the 12th action day of its kind, coordinated by the Federal Criminal Police Office.

The day saw a total of 190 measures implemented in over 140 investigation procedures nationwide. In Schleswig-Holstein, the number of hate speech cases increased to 381 in 2024, 153 more than in the previous year.

Citizens can report hate speech to providers of social networks and ask for illegal content to be deleted. Additionally, hate speech can also be reported via the website of the state media authority at https://www.ma-hsh.de. For more information on combating hate crime, visit https://www.bka.de/MeldestelleHetzeImInternet.

The crimes targeted included using symbols of unconstitutional organizations (§ 86a StGB) and online insults (§ 185 StGB). The most common criminal offenses in Schleswig-Holstein were incitement to hatred (§ 130 StGB) with 128 cases, insults (§ 185 StGB) with 99 cases, and insults of persons in political life (§ 188 StGB) with 60 cases.

The regularly held action days to combat hate crime are intended to send a clear signal against violence and the spread of extremist ideas. Searches were conducted, and interrogation offers were made as part of the action day.

The information was provided by the State Criminal Investigation Office Schleswig-Holstein and transmitted via news aktuell. The action day involved four police measures in Kiel, Flensburg, and Itzehoe.

For further inquiries, please contact the State Criminal Investigation Office Schleswig-Holstein: Carola Jeschke, Telephone: 0431/160-40130, Email: [email protected].