Right-wing extremism - Signs, symbols and banned organisations

Zoom© Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz Cover of the publication ‘Right-wing extremism - Signs, symbols and banned organisations’

Right-wing extremists often bring their ideas to public attention. They attach particular importance to using certain signs and symbols as well as to wearing clothes typical of the scene. The presentation and use of a number of such signs and symbols has been made a punishable offence by legislature. The regulations under sections 86, 86a of the German Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch/StGB) are relevant in this context. These regulations will be elaborated on in chapter 1 of this brochure.

Individuals who do not belong to the scene often have difficulty in judging whether a certain piece of clothing is not only an expression of the wearer’s ideas but whether also a statutory offence is constituted. Symbols will be described that fall within the scope of sections 86 and 86a of the Criminal Code as well as clothes and badges the use of which does not constitute a statutory offence but which nonetheless clearly indicate the wearer’s right-wing extremist views.

Many right-wing extremists regard the fact that people remain silent and look away as approval and therefore feel challenged to commit further and often serious attacks on socially underprivileged and minority groups. Hence, in order to effectively counter right-wing extremism, the people’s attention and commitment is required. To this end, information and background knowledge are imperative, which this brochure wants to make a contribution to.

Contents:

• Statutory regulations
• Organisations banned pursuant to section 3 of the Act on Associations
• Individual decisions based on sections 86, 86a of the Criminal Code and section 20 of the Act on Associations
• Signs of former National Socialist organisations (a selection)
• General identification features of right-wing extremists
• Symbols of non-right-wing extremist skinheads
• Autonome Nationalisten