Germany’s Police State Tightens as New Laws in Bavaria Allow for Less Police Regulations
Last week the state parliament of Bavaria in Germany voted in favoure of giving more power to police to combat terror related cases, something that the country has seen a great increase in.
These new amendments are giving police power levels that they have not had for at least the past 7 decades including giving police the ability to bypass the need to ask a jury for permission to carry out investigations or any kind of surveillance on suspected individuals. They are also no longer required to go before a judge to gain approval for any other actions taken against a suspect.
This may also include the power to have phones and online browsing history monitored if an individual is suspected of conspiring to commit a crime.
Those in favour of the vote believe that this will help prevent crimes from being committed in the first place instead of starting the investigation after the crime happens as “preventing crime is the core task of the police,” State Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann says.
Police in Bavaria will be able to effectively build profiles of suspects and include elements such as DNA, hair colour, eye colour and ethnic background among other characteristics that may lead to identification of a suspect.
The bill has also made it so police do not have to wear body cam’s anymore, or any other recording devices. No reasons have been given for this.
Police have also been allowed to seize and open any parcel they think could be carrying illegal drugs. This has been brought in to fight smugglers having drugs sent over through online dark markets.
The opposition party in Bavaria has labelled this an “attack on freedom” and are comparing these laws to the Third Reich, there have even been live marching demonstrations organised in protest.
Many of the people are blaming the five fold increase in terrorism for these laws, despite crime rates being at an all time low.