The German government is planning legislative changes designed to strengthen criminal law and enhance its ability to address evolving security threats. A draft bill from the Federal Ministry of Justice is expected to be approved by the Federal Cabinet this week, according to reports.
The proposed changes focus primarily on expanding the scope of criminal liability related to the preparation of terrorist acts. Currently, German law penalizes the preparation of “serious acts endangering the stability of the state” encompassing activities like acquiring firearms or manufacturing explosives in the planning stages of an attack. The new legislation aims to extend this to include the preparation of attacks involving dangerous tools considered commonplace, such as vehicles or knives. This shift is reportedly driven by recent incidents where these types of objects have been utilized in attacks.
Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig underscored the rationale behind the proposed changes, stating that extremist groups, terrorist networks and authoritarian regimes are actively working against Germany’s free society. The legislative adjustments are framed as a response, intended to bolster the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in proactively addressing the preparation of attacks and hybrid warfare tactics.
The draft bill also includes a provision to criminalize the entry into Germany of individuals intending to commit terrorist offenses within the country. The government aims for these adjustments to provide a clearer legal framework and enhance security measures in response to current and future threats.