The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses five pro-life activists from the “Last Generation” collective of being a criminal organisation. Five UN special rapporteurs denounce this accusation as an attack on the right to protest. Climáximo stands in solidarity.
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On 21 March 2025, Carla, Imke, Christian, Wolli and Ingo, activists in the climate collective “Last Generation” in Germany, were charged by the Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office with being a criminal organisation due to peaceful protests. This collective has been staging non-violent protests, always communicating explicitly and publicly, with the sole demand that the government stop contributing to the climate crisis. This accusation violates international human rights standards. In response to this repression, five UN special rapporteurs intervened and expressed their concern about the proceedings. However, the German government responded by washing its hands of the matter and shirking responsibility for what is a clear case of political repression and violation of the right to protest. The five UN Special Rapporteurs have now launched a citizens’ petition calling on the government, the public prosecutor’s office and the Munich Regional Court to protect democracy and not to repress peaceful protests, especially in times of climate catastrophe!
Sign the petition here: https://menschengegenoel.raz-ev.org/petition_english
All this is happening because a system that depends on the exploitation of fossil fuels and people cannot allow the truth to be told about the climate emergency we find ourselves in, as well as the social transformation that would be required to stop it. Climáximo stands in solidarity with all those who are currently facing increasing repression for simply defending life and trying to stop the destruction of everything they love and care for, such as access to food, water and shelter. The current repression is not just simple court cases. These are political and social cases, and it is up to society to stop this attack on the basic rights of popular defence and not allow people to be arrested for telling the truth.
In May 2023, German police raided the rooms of peaceful climate activists with guns drawn at them and confiscated the organisation’s website and much of the movement’s money. At the time, the Munich police automatically labelled the organisation as criminal, without any trial or court decision, posting this information on the Last Generation homepage and threatening that any support for this organisation would be a crime in itself. This act of repression was met with social protests, forcing the police to remove this note from the website. Carla, Imke, Christian, Wolli and Ingo now have one month to submit their defence against the current court charges.
In Portugal, Climáximo supporters who participated in direct actions for climate justice already have six cases concluded, resulting in 36 years of suspended prison sentences and €30,000 in fines and legal costs. This is for telling the truth about the climate emergency. There are still 13 cases pending in court, which would amount to a total of €200,000 in fines and legal costs if all cases result in convictions.