The Berlin Senate clarifies that Ukrainian flags are generally permitted on festive days
“This should show all the pro-Russian protesters that they are on the wrong side.”
Security authorities expect pro-Russian measures on the anniversary of the end of World War II. Lindner, the head of the FDP, doesn’t understand that, but he doesn’t believe in a ban either. “The fact that you can demonstrate here and not in Moscow should show all the pro-Russian protesters in Germany that they are on the wrong side.”
Criticism was huge when it was said that Ukrainian flags would be banned in Berlin on May 8 and 9. The Senate administration now clarifies: 15 memorial sites have been affected, where “no military flags or symbols are allowed.”
DrThe administration of the Berlin Senate clarified that Ukrainian flags are generally allowed on the festive days in Berlin on Sunday and Monday. The Senate Home Office announced Saturday that the police-issued restriction applies only to 15 selected memorial sites in the capital, where the rules should allow for “dignified and peaceful commemoration.”
And the Senate administration continued, “It is not allowed to place flags or military symbols at these memorial sites.” The ban also applies to the Russian flag. Veterans of World War II and ambassadors and their delegations are excluded from this.
At pro-Russian events, the Berlin police will also ensure that “there is no public approval of the war of aggression against Ukraine” “even outside these memorial sites.” Police requirements at memorial sites also include a ban on the wearing of uniforms or parts of the uniform – even in modified forms – as well as military marches or songs. The Z symbol is also prohibited. The speech is used by supporters of the war and symbolizes “za pobedu” (“for victory”).
Basically, it is about the “clear separation” between the commemoration of the eighth and ninth of May 1945 and thus the liberation of National Socialism from the situation in May of this year. At the memorial sites where Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are buried, it is important to “prevent any confrontation.”
Governor Mayor Franziska Jaffe (SPD) indicated again in “Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg” (RBB) that there is no general ban of the flag in the city on the 77th anniversary of emancipation from National Socialism.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Andrei Melnik, reacted indignantly to the ban on the flag in the newspapers of the National Democratic Rally and spoke of a “catastrophic political mistake”. Mayor Franziska Giffey (Social Democratic Party) must “cancel” this decision. Melnik had already on Friday criticized the Twitter SMS service that the conditions were “a slap in the face for Ukraine” and “a slap in the face for the Ukrainian people” and should be withdrawn.