Right on time for the world climate conference in Egypt, activists in Germany are continuing their protests against the previous climate protection policy. Even drastic consequences of the judiciary do not deter them.
Munich (dpa / lby) - Despite the recently imposed 30-day detention for climate activists, three people stuck to the Stachus in downtown Munich on the road again. They stressed that they did not want to be intimidated by the threat of being detained for 30 days. Meanwhile, the debate over the sentence continues. Among other things, CSU boss and Prime Minister Markus Söder called for tougher penalties. On the other hand, Bavaria's Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich (CSU) said that the current criminal laws were sufficient.
On Monday morning, five activists tried to block traffic at Karlsplatz in Munich. When the police arrived shortly thereafter, three people had taped themselves to the street with one hand each. All five activists were reported on suspicion of coercion in road traffic and violations of the assembly law. Only after the glued hands could be detached could the blockage be cleared after around one and a half hours.
"I will not be intimidated by threats of 30 days in prison. My life and the life of my entire generation is at stake," the protest movement "Last Generation" quoted 18-year-old climate activist Maria Braun, who is said to be participated in the action. Should she now be locked up, other people who think the same way as her would have to "take my place on the street".
On a court order, twelve climate activists were sent to police custody for 30 days after a practically identical action at the Stachus last week. There have also been protests in other places in the past few days. They all demand more consistent climate protection from politicians.
According to the Bavarian Police Responsibilities Act, citizens can be detained for up to a month on the basis of a judicial decision in order to prevent the commission of an administrative offense of considerable public importance or a criminal offence. This period can be extended by a maximum of one additional month.
In the debate about tougher penalties for climate activists, Eisenreich believes that the criminal laws in force are sufficient, despite demands to the contrary from the Union. "In my view, the current penal framework, the possibilities for the courts to impose fines or imprisonment, is sufficient," he told Bayerischer Rundfunk. The laws just have to be applied consistently.
"Everyone who demonstrates must know that they are allowed to do so - but the limit is criminal law. There are really enough opportunities to work for climate protection in legal form," said Eisenreich Bayern 2. "Every activist, every activist has to think about it whether he wants to cross that line or not."
CSU boss Markus Söder had called for tougher penalties for climate activists of the "last generation" on Sunday - in particularly serious cases up to imprisonment. According to a report by "Bild am Sonntag", the Union parliamentary group wants to submit a motion for tougher penalties for climate activists in the Bundestag.
The trigger for the current debate: In Berlin on October 31, a cyclist was run over by a truck. According to the fire brigade, a special vehicle that was supposed to help free the injured person under the truck was stuck in a traffic jam on the city highway. This is said to have been triggered by an action by the climate protest group "Last Generation".
However, the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported, citing a mission note, that according to the emergency doctor's assessment, the fact that the car was not available had no effect on the rescue of the injured woman. According to the police and prosecutors, the cyclist died on Thursday from her serious injuries.
