In an important new move, the German criminal code has been expanded from criminal liability of those who deny the Holocaust now also to include those who deny the genocides and war crimes in various parts of the world. DW-the German news service, Deutsche Welle, notes that this legislation now covers the various genocides such as in Rwanda, and the ongoing genocides of the Yezidis and of the Uighurs.

Germany’s Ministry of Justice notes that when the courts are not able to confirm the historical factuality of a given genocidal event or crime against humanity, there will be no liability.  However, that is not the case when the historical facts of cases are well known and there is no need to gather evidence to prove the history of that event.

The new legislation is embodied in Article 130 of the German criminal code and provides for up to three years imprisonment for those who incite hatred and violence by denying genocide and war crimes.

Sources: Hanel, Lisa (November 25, 2022). Germany criminalizes denying war crimes, genocide. DW.  https://www.dw.com/en/germany-criminalizes-denying-war-crimes-genocide/a-63834791; California Courier (November 17, 2022). Germany to imprison or fine those who deny the Armenian Genocide.