German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig Rejects Tougher Sentencing for Knife Attacks
German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has expressed her views on the need for stricter sentencing for knife attacks, stating that she does not see a necessity for such measures. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, Hubig emphasized the importance of swift court proceedings, clear statements and prevention, particularly when it comes to children and young people.
The minister rejected calls for harsher punishments, describing them as loud and unthought-out demands. She also pointed out that increasing the minimum sentence to one year, as some have demanded, could lead to unjust outcomes in special cases and would ultimately put a strain on the justice system without providing any additional benefits.
Hubig’s comments come in the wake of a recent debate on the topic, in which some have called for tougher sentencing for knife attacks. In response to the stance taken by her colleague, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Hubig emphasized that the Justice Ministry, not the Interior Ministry, is responsible for the country’s penal code. However, she also stressed the importance of a constructive dialogue between the two ministries, stating that they are partners, not adversaries.
The two ministers have reportedly agreed to avoid public disputes and instead focus on finding solutions to the complex issue of knife attacks in Germany.