The lesson of Nazi Germany is not that we should censor hate speech
Professor Eric Heinze was interviewed by Hypatia about hate speech and whether citizens should be punished for their views.
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The debate about hate speech has been reignited in the wake of the conviction of former Belgian politician Dries Van Langenhove by the Leuven correctional court on 26 May 2026.
Speaking to Hypatia, Eric Heinze, Professor of Law and Humanities at Queen Mary University of London, argues that hate speech should not be censored, and opens 'Longstanding, Stable, and Prosperous Democracies' (LSPDs) to accusations of engaging in undemocratic behaviour. He goes on to say the ways LSPDs should promote pluralism, inclusivity, and non-discrimination.
He says: "Some viewpoints are indeed intellectually inferior or morally reprehensible. We are also allowed to strongly criticize them. Consider people who want to ban abortion and portray women who choose it, online or in the mass media, as 'baby murderers'. In my opinion, that is a morally reprehensible message. Yet, an LSPD may not punish people who express such views [in otherwise non-aggressive ways]. That is precisely the distinction I make."
Read his full interview on Hypatia (published originally in Dutch).
More information:
- Professor Heinze is Director of Queen Mary’s Centre for Law, Democracy and Society.