The justice ministers of the federal and state governments are currently meeting in Bavaria. It's about digitization in the judiciary, hate speech on the Internet and important final decisions by citizens. Saxony-Anhalt's minister is positioning herself.
Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - From the point of view of Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Justice Franziska Weidinger (CDU), the states need the support of the federal government on the way to digitization in the judicial authorities. In addition to recruiting staff, digitization is a key issue for the future of the judiciary and an "enormous feat for the federal states," explained Weidinger at the Justice Ministers' Conference this Wednesday and Thursday in Schwangau, Bavaria. "I see the federal government as having a responsibility to actively support the states in digitization. Here it only goes hand in hand - the federal and state governments together."
The justice ministers of the federal states want the federal government to expand the "Pact for the Rule of Law" agreed at the beginning of 2019, under which thousands of new judges and public prosecutors were hired nationwide. A “digital pact for the judiciary” is being sought.
The justice ministers of the federal states also deal with hate crime on the Internet. Network operators are to be held more accountable. "There is an urgent need for action. Not only the authors of hate and hate speech are to be prosecuted, but also portal operators under certain conditions, for example if they do not delete criminal postings despite existing possibilities and do not block the authors concerned."
The Federal Minister of Justice should be asked to take up the issue and examine it. "Of course, network operators also have a duty to take action against hate crime," said Weidinger. "The companies make immense sales with their portals, but often act hesitantly when it comes to hate and hate speech." The minister emphasized: "Hate speech endangers our society and our coexistence. In Saxony-Anhalt we are currently examining how the judiciary can position itself even more effectively in this area."
And another very consumer-related topic is on the agenda of the justice ministers: the central electronic registration of pension documents. The aim is for courts and doctors to be able to quickly find out in future whether someone has a power of attorney, a care directive or a living will. The ministers of the federal states should ask the Federal Ministry of Justice to create appropriate possibilities.
Saxony-Anhalt's Justice Minister Weidinger explained: "The central registration of pension documents would create advantages in order to speed up procedures and create legal certainty. This can strengthen the self-determination of those affected and also make it easier for relatives to find information in order to improve decisions ."
