Law and fundamental rights

D. hier Meinungsfreiheit gilt.

there is freedom of expression here.

Freedom of expression applies in Germany. Therefore, people are allowed to criticize the government and openly express their opinions, as long as they comply with the applicable laws.

Read more and learn the vocabulary →

C. Meinungsfreiheit

freedom of expression

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Germany. It protects the right to freely express and disseminate one's own opinion.

A. Glaubens- und Gewissensfreiheit

freedom of faith and conscience

Freedom of faith and conscience is a fundamental right. Everyone may choose their own faith and act according to their conscience, as long as the laws are observed.

B. Alle sollen gleich viel Geld haben.

Everyone should have the same amount of money.

The Basic Law does not state that everyone should have the same amount of money. However, the Basic Law protects, for example, human dignity, freedom of expression, and equality before the law.

C. Asyl

asylum

The right of asylum protects people seeking protection from political persecution. This fundamental right concerns foreign nationals who apply for protection in Germany.

D. die Geldstrafe

a fine

A fine is compatible with the Basic Law. Torture and the death penalty, by contrast, are not compatible with the German legal system.

C. Nein, denn die Pressefreiheit ist ein Grundrecht. Sie kann nicht abgeschafft werden.

No, because freedom of the press is a fundamental right. It cannot be abolished.

Freedom of the press is a fundamental right and protects independent reporting. A party therefore cannot simply abolish it through a parliamentary majority.

B. meine Meinung im Internet äußern kann.

can express my opinion on the internet.

Freedom of expression means that people may also express their opinions on the internet. However, it has legal limits, for example to protect personal honor.

B. Zwangsarbeit

forced labor

The Basic Law generally prohibits forced labor. No one should be forced against their will to perform a particular kind of work.

A. bei der öffentlichen Verbreitung falscher Behauptungen über einzelne Personen

when false claims about individuals are publicly spread

Freedom of expression has limits when the rights of other people are violated. False claims about individuals can, for example, harm their personal honor.

D. Ungleichbehandlung der Bürgerinnen und Bürger durch den Staat.

unequal treatment of citizens by the state.

The state may not arbitrarily treat citizens unequally. The principle of equality before the law protects people from unjustified unequal treatment by the state.

A. die Unantastbarkeit der Menschenwürde

the inviolability of human dignity

Article 1 of the Basic Law protects human dignity. The state must respect and protect the dignity of every person.

A. Man darf sich seinen Wohnort selbst aussuchen.

You may choose your own place of residence.

Freedom of movement means that, in principle, you may choose your own place of residence within Germany. In this context, the term has nothing to do with clothing, religion, or changing occupations.

C. Menschen von einer Privatpolizei ohne Grund verhaftet werden.

people are arrested by a private police force without cause.

In a democratic constitutional state, people are allowed to criticize the government and demonstrate peacefully. However, a private police force may not arrest people without a legal basis. Arrests must be based on laws.

C. Bundesverfassungsgericht

Federal Constitutional Court

The Federal Constitutional Court is responsible for interpreting the Basic Law. For example, it examines whether laws are compatible with the constitution.

D. mit Freiheitsstrafe bis zu fünf Jahren oder mit Geldstrafe

with imprisonment for up to five years or a fine

Holocaust denial can be a criminal offense in Germany. According to this question catalog, it can be punished with a fine or imprisonment for up to five years.

D. Die Frau bekommt ein Kind und ihr Chef weiß das.

The woman is having a child and her boss knows about it.

A woman may not be dismissed simply because she is having a child. Pregnant women and mothers are protected by special legal provisions in Germany.

D. der öffentliche Aufruf zur Vernichtung Israels

publicly calling for the destruction of Israel

Public calls for the destruction of Israel are prohibited in Germany. Criticism of Israeli policy or public discussions about it are, by contrast, generally protected by freedom of expression.

B. ungerechtfertigter Kündigung durch Ihre Chefin / Ihren Chef.

an unjustified dismissal by your employer.

The labor court is responsible for disputes between employees and employers. This includes, for example, a potentially unjustified dismissal.

C. das Arbeitsgericht

the labor court

The labor court is responsible for disputes arising from employment relationships. For example, it decides on dismissals, wage issues, or other employment-law disputes.

C. Kündigungsschutzklage erheben

file an unfair dismissal claim

Anyone who considers a dismissal unlawful can file an unfair dismissal claim. The labor court then examines whether the dismissal is legally valid.

B. eine Straftat begangen hat und angeklagt wird.

has committed a criminal offense and is charged.

A court trial may take place when someone is charged with a criminal offense. The court then examines the case and decides on guilt and any possible punishment.

A. entscheidet mit Richterinnen / Richtern über Schuld und Strafe.

decide together with professional judges on guilt and punishment.

Lay judges are honorary judges. Together with professional judges, they decide on guilt and punishment.

A. eine Rechtsanwältin / ein Rechtsanwalt

a lawyer

Lawyers advise people on legal matters. They can also represent their clients in court.

B. arbeitet an einem Gericht und spricht Urteile.

works at a court and delivers judgments.

Judges work in courts and decide legal cases. Their most important task is to deliver judgments in accordance with the applicable laws.

D. Prozess

trial

A proceeding before a court is called a trial. In a trial, the court examines a dispute or a criminal charge.

B. Recht sprechen

administering justice

Judges administer justice. They apply laws to specific cases and make judicial decisions.

D. die Einhaltung von Gesetzen zu überwachen

monitoring compliance with laws

The police ensure that laws are obeyed and protect public safety. Laws themselves are passed by parliaments.

C. den Holocaust leugnen

denying the Holocaust

Holocaust denial is an example of antisemitic behavior and is also a criminal offense in Germany. Criticism of the Israeli government, by contrast, is not automatically antisemitic.

B. eine ehrenamtliche Richterin / ein ehrenamtlicher Richter.

an honorary judge.

A lay judge at a court is an honorary judge. A completed university law degree is not required for this role.

A. Sie müssen die Demonstration anmelden.

They must register the demonstration.

A street demonstration must be registered in advance with the responsible authority. Demonstrations are permitted, but legal rules apply.

A. Niemand darf z.B. wegen einer Behinderung benachteiligt werden.

No one may be disadvantaged, for example because of a disability.

The principle of equal treatment means that people may not be disadvantaged without an objective reason. A disability, for example, must not be a reason for discrimination.

A. werden bestraft.

are punished.

From the age of 14, young people in Germany can be held responsible for criminal offenses. Juvenile criminal law applies to them.

D. um 22 Uhr

at 10 p.m.

The nighttime quiet period in Germany normally begins at 10 p.m. During this time, people should avoid noise and be considerate of their neighbors.

B. das Briefgeheimnis

the secrecy of correspondence

Letters are protected by the secrecy of correspondence. You may not simply open a letter addressed to another person without permission.

D. Mutter ist

is a mother

An applicant may not be disadvantaged solely because she is a mother. Such disadvantage can constitute discrimination.

A. im Rollstuhl sitzt.

uses a wheelchair.

An applicant may not be disadvantaged solely because of a disability. The fact that he uses a wheelchair must not be held against him without an objective reason.

C. Einspruch einlegen.

file an objection.

If a tax assessment is incorrect, you can file an objection. This asks the tax office to review the assessment again.

B. Gleichbehandlung

equal treatment

People may not be disadvantaged because of their skin color. If they are refused entry to a swimming pool for this reason, the principle of equal treatment is violated.

B. Wahlhelferin / Wahlhelfer

election worker

If a German citizen is appointed as an election worker, they are generally required to perform this honorary duty. Election workers help ensure that an election is conducted properly.

B. Ich lege Widerspruch bei der Behörde ein.

I file an objection with the authority.

You can challenge an incorrect bill or decision from a public authority. To do so, you file an objection with the authority.

C. er eine dunkle Haut hat.

he has dark skin.

An applicant may not be rejected solely because of his skin color. Such disadvantage is an example of discrimination.

B. den Fernseher reklamieren

make a complaint about the television

If a newly purchased television is broken, you can make a complaint to the seller. The seller must then address the defect.