Pro-Palestine-Camp: Return to the Chancellery under strict noise protection!

Pro-Palestine-Camp: Return to the Chancellery under strict noise protection!

Berlin, Deutschland - A pro-Palestinian protest camp in Berlin can camp again in front of the Federal Chancellery after an endurance decision by the Berlin Administrative Court. This decision was confirmed by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court on Friday and causes excitement in the political landscape of the capital. The camp, which under the motto "United for Palestine!" is registered until Saturday, July 19th.

Originally, the camp had been moved by the Chancellery to the main station after several weeks of violent protests from Monday. The police had justified this laying with noise pollution, especially in the evening and night hours. However, activists from the camp submitted an urgent application, which were partly successful. According to the administrative court, laying the camp would be disproportionate because it would have been sufficient to issue special noise requirements.

court ruling and editions

The Higher Administrative Court dismissed the police's complaint against the reedent of the camp. It was decided that the protest in front of the Chancellery is allowed in its form under conditions. These include that no noisy devices such as speakers, drums or megafone may be used. The court also confirmed that the previous laying by the police was considered disproportionate. This decision can be found and was documented under the file number OVG 4 S 26/25 and VG 1 L 634/25.

The regulations require that the activists adhere to the defined noise requirements to ensure the right to freedom of assembly. This fundamental right is anchored in the German Basic Law and applies to spontaneous and planned demonstrations. The meeting must be peaceful, and in the event of violations of these requirements, the police cannot intervene without a valid reason.

freedom of assembly in focus

Freedom of assembly enables citizens to publicly express their opinions and to actively participate in political processes. However, these basic rights must be carried out responsibly. The event must be registered, with information about the organizer, process and location must be transmitted in good time. Specific requirements can be issued for the implementation, for example for volume or duration of the event.

Responsibility for compliance with these requirements lies with the organizer of the ProtestCamp, who also acts as a contact for the authorities. The police are obliged to protect the demonstration, but can dissolve it if violence threatens or the public order is disrupted. In the peacefulness of the assembly, all participants are required because violence and crimes are not allowed.

In this sense, the ongoing protest camp in front of the Chancellery is a test for the balance between the right to demonstrate and the public order. It remains to be seen how the situation will further develop until the registration on Saturday and whether the activists will implement the requirements consistently.

For further information on the rights and obligations in public demonstrations, interested parties can visit the website of the [Jaeger law firm] (https://jaeger-rechtsanwaltskanzlei.de/2025/03/GerMbungsfreiheit-ihre- and-wandy-bei-bei-beutichen-demonstrations/). There are comprehensive explanations of freedom of assembly and what should be considered.

Further details on the current protest camp in Berlin and the judicial decisions can be found at rbb24 Zeitung] (https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/oberverwaltungsgericht-berlin-protestcamp-vor-kanzleramt-li.3286410).