&#62; The freedom of speech article is the ninth of the rights. A bit late as constitutions go (USA: first, Germany: fifth) but pretty consistent with many Europeans’ views on freedom of speech. In many European states free speech is not the same sort of fundamental right as it is in the US. Important, sure, but not quite as.<p>In defense of Germany: In the US rights come as amendments.  The German constitution starts out with the human (and civil) rights at the very beginning.  (Yes, someone wanted to distance themself from the Nazis.)