Authority finances controversial brochure: Call for intimidation!

Authority finances controversial brochure: Call for intimidation!

The German federal government is causing a stir by funding a controversial brochure that provides instructions on how to fight against social opponents. This controversy was uncovered by the journalist Stefan Frank, who in his blog “Axis of Good” criticized the problematic contents of the brochure “Nazis hate these tricks. 20 thoughts on how to combat right-wing extremism,” which is sponsored by the Family Ministry. Frank warns that this publication goes beyond education and represents a worrying invitation to vigilantism. It defames dissidents as “Nazis” and encourages the intimidation of critics, which endangers the limits of political freedom of expression.

Particularly explosive are the instructions on how antifa-affiliated groups should act against so-called “right-wing extremists”. The brochure calls for organizing new Antifa groups to create the broadest possible mobilized movement. These include specific goals such as closing institutions described as “right-wing extremist”. Frank expresses concerns about the vagueness of the term “right-wing extremist,” which can be used in almost any way to defame and attack political opponents.

Shocking content and calls for aggression

The brochure acknowledges the challenges but means radical change must be implemented with “passionate conviction”. In addition, the responsibility is shifted to the readers: one should be “creative” and strategically cause damage in order to “put pressure” on political opponents. This list of aggressive tactics ranges from bans to public defamation and poses a threat to the free democratic basic order. Critics are alarmed and are demanding that such state-sponsored incitement be stopped immediately as it undermines the foundations of democratic dialogue. The content under discussion shows how the lines between playful activism and serious political aggression have become blurred, while the Family Ministry bears responsibility for this dangerous advice.

This brochure is available online on the federal program “Living Democracy” website, and the possibility of ordering this brochure from the Ministry of Family Affairs raises serious concerns about the use of taxpayers' money for such controversial content. The problem is also taken up by other publications, which take a critical look at the brochure and thus raise the urgent question of the extent to which state authorities co-finance opposition movements and ideological struggles.