What is compatible with the German Basic Law?

Under the German Basic Law, human dignity and the prohibition of inhuman or degrading punishment are fundamental. Torture and the death penalty are explicitly prohibited, and corporal punishment as a state sanction is incompatible with these principles. Monetary fines are a lawful and common criminal sanction and therefore compatible with the Basic Law.

• Look for keywords tied to human dignity and fundamental rights (e.g., bans on torture, inhuman treatment, and the death penalty).
• Recall that the death penalty is expressly abolished in the Basic Law.
• Eliminate any option involving physical punishment or degrading treatment.
• Sanctions that are non-violent and proportionate within the legal system are more likely to be compatible.
• When unsure, connect each option to relevant Basic Law articles and general European human rights standards.