Berlin’s Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has sharply condemned the recently imposed US entry bans targeting several individuals, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and the executive directors of the organization “Hate Aid”. The move, widely perceived as a retaliatory measure against digital rights activism, has drawn criticism within Germany for its potential to stifle civil society engagement and raise questions about transatlantic relations.
Hubig, of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), defended Hate Aid’s work, emphasizing its crucial role in supporting victims of illegal online hate speech and advocating for the protection of personal rights within the digital sphere. She argued that the organization’s activities fundamentally contribute to a free and open online discourse. “When those targeted by hate speech are left unprotected, democratic discussion is inherently compromised” she stated.
The US administration’s accusations against Hate Aid’s leadership, which have not been publicly detailed, were deemed “unacceptable” by Hubig. She rejected claims that Hate Aid’s support for victims constitutes censorship, asserting that the organization itself does not restrict freedom of expression. “The boundaries of free speech in Germany are defined by our constitution, by democratically elected lawmakers and by an independent judiciary” Hubig emphasized, underlining the primacy of German and European legal frameworks.
The Minister’s remarks directly challenged the implicit assertion by Washington that it has a legitimate role in dictating the rules of engagement within Germany and Europe’s digital landscape. Hubig pointedly linked the US action to the broader trend of powerful platforms increasingly feeling threatened by civil society initiatives aimed at accountability. “The measures taken by the Trump administration demonstrate that civil society engagement is unwelcome to powerful platforms” she said. The German government, Hubig confirmed, stands in solidarity with the Hate Aid executives.
The incident underscores a growing tension between the US and European approaches to regulating online content and protecting individual rights. While the US prioritizes a broad interpretation of free speech, often resisting content moderation, Germany and other European nations are pursuing more robust regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Services Act, designed to curb illegal online activity and hold platforms accountable. The entry bans raise concerns about the potential chilling effect on transatlantic cooperation on digital rights issues and could further fuel the ongoing debate about digital sovereignty in Europe.