Should governments impose harsh criminal penalties for vandalism of public monuments and infrastructure?

Context

Vandalism of public monuments and infrastructure—from graffiti to deliberate destruction—raises questions about balancing free expression, property protection, and public order. Governments worldwide debate whether existing penalties suffice or if harsher criminal sanctions are needed, with advocates citing deterrence and community safety while critics worry about disproportionate enforcement and criminalizing protest. The issue has intensified as high-profile incidents spark political debate over monument preservation and the boundaries of acceptable dissent.