Bans on Nazi symbols

Symbols that are most commonly associated with Nazism: the swastika, the doppelte Siegrune, and the SS Totenkopf

The use of symbols of the Nazi Party and Nazi Germany (1933–1945) is currently subject to legal restrictions in a number of countries, such as Austria, Belarus, Brazil, the Czech Republic, France,[1] Germany,[2] Hungary, Israel, Poland,[3] Romania, Russia, Ukraine and other countries.[4]

While legal in most countries,[5][6] the display of flags associated with the Nazi government (see: Nazi flags) is subject to restriction or an outright ban in several European countries.

Many Nazi flags make use of the swastika symbol;[7] however, the swastika is not always used in connection with the Nazi Party movement or of the German Third Reich or the combined German military of 1933–1945. Outside of Nazism, use of swastikas pre-dates the German Third Reich by some 3,000 years.[8][9]

  1. ^ "Section 1 : Du port ou de l'exhibition d'uniformes, insignes ou emblèmes rappelant ceux d'organisations ou de personnes responsables de crimes contre l'humanité (Article R645-1), Chapitre V : Des contraventions de la 5e classe contre la nation, l'Etat ou la paix publique, Titre IV : Des contraventions contre la nation, l'Etat ou la paix publique, Livre VI : Des contraventions, ReplierPartie réglementaire - Décrets en Conseil d'Etat" (in French). Paris, France: Légifrance, Journal officiel de la République française (JORF). 21 July 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) § 86a Verwenden von Kennzeichen verfassungswidriger und terroristischer Organisationen" (in German). Berlin, Germany: Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany), Bundesamt für Justtiz. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Dziennik Ustaw 1997 nr 88 poz. 553" (in Polish). Warsaw, Poland: Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych. 6 June 1997. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Banned flags of Nazi inspiration". Flags of the World. FOTW.net. 12 January 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Display of Nazi flag in the Four Seasons Arena". City Attorney's Office. City of Great Falls, Montana. 28 May 1996. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  6. ^ "Ordering Nazi Flags". MrFlag.com. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
  7. ^ "Third Reich 1933–1945 (Germany)". Flags of the World. FOTW.net. 19 August 2006. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  8. ^ "The History of the Swastika". 20th Century History. About.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
  9. ^ "Symbol 15:1". Online Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms. Symbols.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.