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Green Youth Leader Backs Burden-of-Proof Shift in Party Matters

Legal commentators warn the proposal undercuts the presumption of innocence guaranteed in German and European law.

Overview

  • In a Jung & Naiv interview on Sept. 24, Jette Nietzard said alleged victims should be believed first and endorsed a burden-of-proof shift in organizational settings.
  • She argued "we are an organization, not a court" and agreed that under her approach an accused person would have to prove innocence.
  • Nietzard tied her stance to the Greens’ handling of accusations involving former MP Stefan Gelbhaar, a case that included reporting errors by RBB and a compensation payment to him.
  • She said her remarks did not address court procedures but added that laws are made and can be changed, asserting current norms tend to favor men over women.
  • National coverage and social media reactions featured strong criticism and rule-of-law concerns, and no formal party policy change or disciplinary action has been reported.