Racism scandal in Cyprus: Göttingen police investigated against filmmakers!

Racism scandal in Cyprus: Göttingen police investigated against filmmakers!

In the past few days, a racist video that shows young men in Cyprus has caused excitement. The police in Göttingen started the investigation after the spokesman for the Göttingen public prosecutor, Andreas Buick, spoke to the video. It shows a group of men in Agia Napa, some of whom can be seen with bottles in the hand and two upper body free of charge. At least two men chant racist slogans, including the N-word, and a person shows a gesture that is reminiscent of the Hitler salute. The scenario is worrying and the question arises as to how far the consequences will reach.

The video was first divided into a private Snapchat group under the name "Agia Napa 2025" before it came to the public. One crucial point is that only the film's filmmaker could be prosecuted under German criminal law. The members of the men's group who have given the racist statements cannot be legally pursued in Germany. According to paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code, German criminal law only applies to acts that take place in Germany. It is interesting whether Cypriot authorities are currently investigating, since racially motivated statements could be punishable as a public incentive in Cyprus.

consequences also in other incidents

Similar incidents recently also occurred on Sylt, where another video shows young people who roar racist slogans on the melody of "Làmour Toujors". Here, too, the State Protection Commissioner has started investigations. According to the police in Flensburg, other suspects could possibly be identified. The SPD politician Sawsan Chebli was concerned about the behavior of the perpetrators, who, according to her perspective, feel safe.

Lawyer Sören Grigutsch said that the chanted slogans could be classified as sedition in accordance with § 130 StGB. In the event of a conviction, people over the age of 21 threaten prison terms of three months to five years. For adolescents between the ages of 18 and 20, either the youth D or adult criminal law is used, while young people between the ages of 14 and 17 are subject to other punishments, but they are the same crime.

The narrow line of freedom of expression

As in the German legal system, freedom of expression is the focus of these debates. This is a fundamental human right that is indispensable for the democratic order. However, it is not considered a free ticket for racist defamation and slogans. The UN Convention on the Removal of any form of racist discrimination (ICERD) obliges contracting states such as Germany to punish the distribution of racist thought guidance, a fact that may not be out of focus.

The Institute for Human Rights indicates that regulatory measures are also possible to protect the population from racist propaganda. Especially at a time when awareness of racism and discrimination is growing, it is crucial to draw clear limits and to recognize the responsibility that everyone bears. Political education and interventions against racist statements are central components of a respectful society.

Developments related to incidents on Cyprus and Sylt urgently explain that it is socially the time to set clear signs against racist statements.