When the Union negotiates to form a new government in Germany, the president of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF) calls for the view of the religious liberal committee as an “essential element” of foreign policy.
As reported by Christian Daily International, the right-wing group saw a major victory in the national elections in Germany on February 23rd. According to Reuters, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), has secured the largest vote share of 33% in the seat of the 733-member Bastestag. The elections showed the highest voter turnout since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
IIRF President Thomas Silmacher said during a press conference that the role of commissioners is also necessary in future CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD) coalition. Shamacher, former Director General of the World Evangelical Alliance, noted that the issue of religious freedom in Nigeria, India, Syria, Israel and Palestinians demonstrates that Germany’s commitment to religious freedom is “most important” along with the general global threat to religious minorities.
In Germany, Schirrmacher said freedom of belief is “a part of Grundgesetz’s DNA or part of the “basic law” of the German Federal Republic’s constitution. Article 4 states, “The freedom of freedom to publicize faith, conscience, religious beliefs and worldviews will be inviolable.”
“There are many states that trample on freedom of religion and belief,” Schirrmacher said. “There are many states where the issue is pointless. Unfortunately, more and more states are accusing the current issue of political or religious political purposes in the United States. Therefore, the corresponding offices usually have a playground for their respective rulers, and are accompanied by changes in government.
Schirrmacher was called Germany in comparison to the “foreign policy heavyweight” approach to standing up for freedom of religion and belief. He noted that preserving that human rights is a very important independent legal requirement, regardless of party-political conflict.
“In addition, the commissioner’s office plays a central role in interfaith dialogue and has a major impact on countries that are very strongly defined in religious language,” Schirrmacher said.
It is especially important for foreign policy that their motivations have a visible place in the state and politics, as more than 80% of the world’s population belongs to religious beliefs and most secular people are strongly motivated by their worldview.
“The commissioner’s office can do this very effectively without promoting or supporting a particular religion or ideology.
According to Schirrmacher, who pointed out examples such as Nigeria and India, Germany’s foreign policy is when it deals with “very religious countries” that benefit from such knowledge. He said the role of the commissioner is consistent with the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Embassy.
“In an age of serious international crisis and challenges, the successful work of the German government’s commissioners for religious freedom should not be suppressed,” Schirrmacher said. “It will send a disastrous signal. Rather, the global advocacy for religious freedom and human rights must now stand out as a hallmark of Germany’s foreign and development policies.”
