2007-10-22
Berlin, 22nd October 2007
Press Release
Coalition launches international competition
No terror before four — or: what exactly is an after-work terrorist?
The Federal Prosecution is after it. The red-green coalition is trying to
redefine it. The Federal Court has to evaluate it and our friends are to be
charged because of it.
The phantom called “terrorism”
The German criminal legislation paragraph 129a enables the prosecution of
terrorist activity or membership in a terrorist organisation, but even the
highest judges of Germany are not quite sure what terrorism actually is. The
Federal Minister for Justice doesn’t think that 9/11 was terrorism, but
everyone’s scared of it. German criminal legislation, the UN and also the EU
have no clear definition of the term “terrorism”. We’re now asking: What
exactly is terrorism? Who is a terrorist? And what’s a terrorist act?
The Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings is searching for
definitions of terrorism: legal, humorous or political. Entries to the
competition can be in the form of texts, photos, videos, podcasts, postcards,
posters; they can be artistic, intellectual or journalistic. They can be
submitted by individuals, collectives or by anonymous contributors. The
deadline is November 30th 2007.
An international panel will consider the entries and select the best ones for
awards. At the end of 2007 the best contributions will be publicly exhibited
and celebrated with an award ceremony.
We would be delighted if you would report this novel and extraordinary
competition in your publication. For further information or questions, please
contact us on the number above. Further information:
http://einstellung.so36.net/de/was-ist-terror
Notes to the Editors:
On June 31st 2007 Oliver, Florian and Axel were arrested. The police accused
them of an attempted arson attack on three German military vehicles.
Additionally, Andrej was arrested at home. He is accused of meeting with one of
the other accused twice in a conspiratorial manner. All seven individuals are
accused of membership in a terrorist organisation (militant group) under the
anti-terrorism legislation § 129a.
Andrej was released on bail after a few weeks and has since had to report
regularly. The Federal Prosecution has lodged an appeal against his release,
which the Federal Court of Justice has not yet responded to. The Court has
declared that it is currently deliberating whether the case will continue to be
dealt with under the charge of membership in a terrorist organisation or whether
further investigations will be carried out with respect to alleged arson.
Coalition for the Immediate End to the 129a Proceedings
c/o Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte e.V.
Greifswalder Straße 4
D-10405 Berlin
Germany
einstellung [at] so36.net
http://einstellung.so36.net