Society

Legal policy amounts to socio-politics – each one of us has to do with legal rules every day in one form or another. The Federal Government has taken on the socio-political task of strengthening personal rights. Here it is the individual and his constitutionally guaranteed basic freedoms that always form the guiding principle underlying political action.

Legal policy affects all of us. Whether it is maintenance law that is being reformed, or registered same-sex partnerships, whether the courts are giving new decisions on landlord and tenant law, or on euthanasia the ensuing effects will concern us directly, or at least there will be vigorous discussion of the issues concerned.

Legal questions also play an important role at the Round Table on sexual abuse. Should the statutory limitation periods be extended? Are the victims entitled to financial compensation? Do churches or sports clubs where there has also been abuse of persons in the charge of some of these institutions – now need to reconsider their rules on dealing with offenders within their ranks?

In our “Society” Section you will find answers to questions of civil rights policy. There you can inform yourself about the plans for the new custody law, about the approach the Federal Minister of Justice takes in the case of euthanasia or of the advanced medical directive – subjects that concern all of us, young and old.

An open society thrives on the diversity in people’s lifestyles. Modern socio-politics also means eliminating discrimination against certain social groups. All forms of partnership or community are of value where people assume responsibility for each other. In this Section, too, you will find information on the present position with regard to legal equality for same-sex partnerships as well as on the recent decisions of the highest courts regarding this subject.