| GERMANY Federal Republic of Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland Joined United Nations: 18 September 1973 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 09/17/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Berlin
82,329,758 (July 2010 est.)
Angela Merkel
Chancellor since 22 November 2005
Chancellor since 22 November 2005
President elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by
a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal
Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state
parliaments; Note: Following the unexpected resignation of
President Horst Koehler, Bremen May Jens Boehrnsen
assumed the role of President as the German Constitution
calls for the speaker of the Parliament's Upper House to
serve. An election of the Federal Convention must be held
within 30 days. Election last held: 30 June 2010
Next scheduled election: no later than June 2015
a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal
Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state
parliaments; Note: Following the unexpected resignation of
President Horst Koehler, Bremen May Jens Boehrnsen
assumed the role of President as the German Constitution
calls for the speaker of the Parliament's Upper House to
serve. An election of the Federal Convention must be held
within 30 days. Election last held: 30 June 2010
Next scheduled election: no later than June 2015
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal
Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag election last held 27
September 2009
Next scheduled election: 2013
Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag election last held 27
September 2009
Next scheduled election: 2013
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)
| RELIGIONS |
Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Federal republic with 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Legal system is a civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review
of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal
Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 30 June 2010 (next to be held by no later
than June 2015); Chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag election last held 27
September 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
Legislative: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (614 seats; elected by popular
vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct
mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition; to serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or
Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has three to six votes depending on population and
are required to vote as a block)
elections: Federal Assembly - election last held 23 May 2009 (next to be held May 2014);
Judicial: Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the
Bundesrat)
of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: President elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal
Assembly and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held 30 June 2010 (next to be held by no later
than June 2015); Chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Assembly for a four-year term; Bundestag election last held 27
September 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
Legislative: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Federal Assembly or Bundestag (614 seats; elected by popular
vote under a system combining direct and proportional representation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or three direct
mandates to gain proportional representation and caucus recognition; to serve four-year terms) and the Federal Council or
Bundesrat (69 votes; state governments are directly represented by votes; each has three to six votes depending on population and
are required to vote as a block)
elections: Federal Assembly - election last held 23 May 2009 (next to be held May 2014);
Judicial: Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the
Bundesrat)
| LANGUAGES |
German
| BRIEF HISTORY |
The ethnogenesis of the Germanic tribes is assumed to have occurred during the Nordic Bronze Age, or at the latest, during the Pre-
Roman Iron Age. From southern Scandinavia and northern Germany, the tribes began expanding south, east and west in the 1st
century BC, coming into contact with the Celtic tribes of Gaul as well as Iranian, Baltic, and Slavic tribes in Eastern Europe. The
Merovingian kings of the Germanic Franks conquered northern Gaul in 486 CE. In the fifth and sixth century the Merovingian kings
conquered several other Germanic tribes and kingdoms and placed them under the control of autonomous dukes of mixed Frankish
and native blood. The Roman provinces north of the Alps had been Christianised since the 4th century and dioceses such as that of
Augsburg were maintained after the end of the Roman Empire. However, from around 600 there was a renewed Christian mission
of the pagan Germanic tribes. After the fall of the Western Roman empire the Franks created an empire under the Merovingian
kings and subjugated the other Germanic tribes. From 772 to 814 king Charlemagne extended the Carolingian empire into northern
Italy and the territories of all west Germanic peoples, including the Saxons and the Bajuwari (Bavarians). In 800 Charlemagne's
authority in Western Europe was confirmed by his coronation as emperor in Rome. The time between 1096 and 1291 was the age
of the crusades. Knightly religious orders were established, including the Templars, the Knights of St John and the Teutonic Order.
Around 1350 Germany and almost the whole of Europe were ravaged by the Black Death. Jews were persecuted on religious and
economic grounds; many fled to Poland. The Golden Bull of 1356 stipulated that in future the emperor was to be chosen by four
secular electors (the King of Bohemia, the Count Palatine of the Rhine, the Duke of Saxony, and the Margrave of Brandenburg)
and three spiritual electors (the Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, and Cologne). Around the beginning of the 16th century there was
much discontent in the Holy Roman Empire with abuses in the Catholic Church and a desire for reform. In 1517 the Reformation
began: Luther nailed his 95 theses against the abuse of indulgences to the church door in Wittenberg. In 1521 Luther was outlawed
at the Diet of Worms. But the Reformation spread rapidly, helped by the Emperor Charles V's wars with France and the Turks.
Hiding in the Wartburg Castle, Luther translated the Bible, establishing the basis of modern German. From 1618 to 1648 the Thirty
Years' War ravaged in the Holy Roman Empire. The causes were the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, the efforts by the
various states within the Empire to increase their power and the Emperor's attempt to achieve the religious and political unity of the
Empire. In 1701 Elector Frederick of Brandenburg was crowned "King in Prussia". From 1713 to 1740, King Frederick William I,
also known as the "Soldier King", established a highly centralized state. The French Revolution sparked a new war between France
and several of its Eastern neighbors, including Prussia and Austria. Napoleon I of France relaunched the war against the Empire. In
1813 the Wars of Liberation began, following the destruction of Napoleon's army in Russia (1812). After the Battle of the Nations
at Leipzig, Germany was liberated from French rule. The Confederation of the Rhine was dissolved. After the fall of Napoleon,
European monarchs and statesmen convened in Vienna in 1814 for the reorganization of European affairs, under the leadership of
the Austrian Prince Metternich. On the territory of the former "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation", the German
Confederation (Deutscher Bund) was founded. In May 1848 the German National Assembly (the Frankfurt Parliament) met in St.
Paul's Church in Frankfurt am Main to draw up a national German constitution. In 1862 Prince Bismarck was nominated chief
minister of Prussia - against the opposition of liberals, who saw him as a reactionary. In 1866 the German Confederation was
dissolved. In its place the North German Federation (German Norddeutscher Bund) was established, under the leadership of
Prussia. Austria was excluded, and would remain outside German affairs for most of the remaining 19th and the 20th centuries.
Differences between France and Prussia over the possible accession to the Spanish throne of a German candidate — whom France
opposed — was the French pretext to declare the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71). During the Siege of Paris, the German princes
assembled in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles and proclaimed the Prussian King Wilhelm I as the "German Emperor"
on 18 January 1871. The German Empire was thus founded, with 25 states, three of which were Hanseatic free cities, and
Bismarck, again, served as Chancellor. When Bismarck resigned, Wilhelm II had declared that he would continue the foreign policy
of the old chancellor. From 1898, German colonial expansion in East Asia (Jiaozhou Bay, the Marianas, the Caroline Islands,
Samoa) led to frictions with the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan and the United States. Imperialist power politics and the
determined pursuit of national interests ultimately led to the outbreak in 1914 of the First World War, sparked by the assassination,
on June 28, 1914, of the Austrian heir-apparent Franz Ferdinand and his wife at Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina by a
Serbian nationalist. On 28 June 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The humiliating peace terms provoked bitter indignation
throughout Germany, and seriously weakened the new democratic regime. On 11 August 1919 the Weimar constitution came into
effect, with Friedrich Ebert as first President. The two biggest enemies of the new democratic order, however, had already been
constituted. On January 30, 1933, pressured by former Chancellor Franz von Papen and other conservatives, President Hindenburg
finally appointed Hitler Chancellor. In order to secure a majority for his NSDAP in the Reichstag, Hitler called for new elections.
On the evening of 27 February 1933, a fire was set in the Reichstag building. Hitler was swift to paint an alleged Communist
uprising on the wall, and convinced President Hindenburg to sign the Reichstag Fire Decree. This decree, which would remain in
force until 1945, repealed important political and human rights of the Weimar constitution. By 1945, Germany and its Axis partners
(Italy and Japan) had been defeated, chiefly by the forces of the Soviet Union, the USA, Britain, and Canada. Much of Europe lay
in ruins, over sixty million people had been killed (most of them civilians), including approximately six million Jews and five million
non-Jews in what became known as the Holocaust. World War II resulted in the destruction of Germany's political and economic
infrastructure and led directly to its partition, considerable loss of territory (especially in the east), and historical legacy of guilt and
shame. At the Potsdam Conference, Germany was divided into four military occupation zones by the Allies, see Partitions of
Germany; the three western zones would form the Federal Republic of Germany (commonly known as West Germany), while part
of the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (commonly known as East Germany), both founded in 1949. During
the summer of 1989 , rapid changes took place in East Germany, which ultimately led to German reunification that came into force
on 3 October 1990. Together with France and other EU states, the new Germany has played the leading role in the European
Union.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Germany
Roman Iron Age. From southern Scandinavia and northern Germany, the tribes began expanding south, east and west in the 1st
century BC, coming into contact with the Celtic tribes of Gaul as well as Iranian, Baltic, and Slavic tribes in Eastern Europe. The
Merovingian kings of the Germanic Franks conquered northern Gaul in 486 CE. In the fifth and sixth century the Merovingian kings
conquered several other Germanic tribes and kingdoms and placed them under the control of autonomous dukes of mixed Frankish
and native blood. The Roman provinces north of the Alps had been Christianised since the 4th century and dioceses such as that of
Augsburg were maintained after the end of the Roman Empire. However, from around 600 there was a renewed Christian mission
of the pagan Germanic tribes. After the fall of the Western Roman empire the Franks created an empire under the Merovingian
kings and subjugated the other Germanic tribes. From 772 to 814 king Charlemagne extended the Carolingian empire into northern
Italy and the territories of all west Germanic peoples, including the Saxons and the Bajuwari (Bavarians). In 800 Charlemagne's
authority in Western Europe was confirmed by his coronation as emperor in Rome. The time between 1096 and 1291 was the age
of the crusades. Knightly religious orders were established, including the Templars, the Knights of St John and the Teutonic Order.
Around 1350 Germany and almost the whole of Europe were ravaged by the Black Death. Jews were persecuted on religious and
economic grounds; many fled to Poland. The Golden Bull of 1356 stipulated that in future the emperor was to be chosen by four
secular electors (the King of Bohemia, the Count Palatine of the Rhine, the Duke of Saxony, and the Margrave of Brandenburg)
and three spiritual electors (the Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, and Cologne). Around the beginning of the 16th century there was
much discontent in the Holy Roman Empire with abuses in the Catholic Church and a desire for reform. In 1517 the Reformation
began: Luther nailed his 95 theses against the abuse of indulgences to the church door in Wittenberg. In 1521 Luther was outlawed
at the Diet of Worms. But the Reformation spread rapidly, helped by the Emperor Charles V's wars with France and the Turks.
Hiding in the Wartburg Castle, Luther translated the Bible, establishing the basis of modern German. From 1618 to 1648 the Thirty
Years' War ravaged in the Holy Roman Empire. The causes were the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants, the efforts by the
various states within the Empire to increase their power and the Emperor's attempt to achieve the religious and political unity of the
Empire. In 1701 Elector Frederick of Brandenburg was crowned "King in Prussia". From 1713 to 1740, King Frederick William I,
also known as the "Soldier King", established a highly centralized state. The French Revolution sparked a new war between France
and several of its Eastern neighbors, including Prussia and Austria. Napoleon I of France relaunched the war against the Empire. In
1813 the Wars of Liberation began, following the destruction of Napoleon's army in Russia (1812). After the Battle of the Nations
at Leipzig, Germany was liberated from French rule. The Confederation of the Rhine was dissolved. After the fall of Napoleon,
European monarchs and statesmen convened in Vienna in 1814 for the reorganization of European affairs, under the leadership of
the Austrian Prince Metternich. On the territory of the former "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation", the German
Confederation (Deutscher Bund) was founded. In May 1848 the German National Assembly (the Frankfurt Parliament) met in St.
Paul's Church in Frankfurt am Main to draw up a national German constitution. In 1862 Prince Bismarck was nominated chief
minister of Prussia - against the opposition of liberals, who saw him as a reactionary. In 1866 the German Confederation was
dissolved. In its place the North German Federation (German Norddeutscher Bund) was established, under the leadership of
Prussia. Austria was excluded, and would remain outside German affairs for most of the remaining 19th and the 20th centuries.
Differences between France and Prussia over the possible accession to the Spanish throne of a German candidate — whom France
opposed — was the French pretext to declare the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71). During the Siege of Paris, the German princes
assembled in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles and proclaimed the Prussian King Wilhelm I as the "German Emperor"
on 18 January 1871. The German Empire was thus founded, with 25 states, three of which were Hanseatic free cities, and
Bismarck, again, served as Chancellor. When Bismarck resigned, Wilhelm II had declared that he would continue the foreign policy
of the old chancellor. From 1898, German colonial expansion in East Asia (Jiaozhou Bay, the Marianas, the Caroline Islands,
Samoa) led to frictions with the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan and the United States. Imperialist power politics and the
determined pursuit of national interests ultimately led to the outbreak in 1914 of the First World War, sparked by the assassination,
on June 28, 1914, of the Austrian heir-apparent Franz Ferdinand and his wife at Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina by a
Serbian nationalist. On 28 June 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The humiliating peace terms provoked bitter indignation
throughout Germany, and seriously weakened the new democratic regime. On 11 August 1919 the Weimar constitution came into
effect, with Friedrich Ebert as first President. The two biggest enemies of the new democratic order, however, had already been
constituted. On January 30, 1933, pressured by former Chancellor Franz von Papen and other conservatives, President Hindenburg
finally appointed Hitler Chancellor. In order to secure a majority for his NSDAP in the Reichstag, Hitler called for new elections.
On the evening of 27 February 1933, a fire was set in the Reichstag building. Hitler was swift to paint an alleged Communist
uprising on the wall, and convinced President Hindenburg to sign the Reichstag Fire Decree. This decree, which would remain in
force until 1945, repealed important political and human rights of the Weimar constitution. By 1945, Germany and its Axis partners
(Italy and Japan) had been defeated, chiefly by the forces of the Soviet Union, the USA, Britain, and Canada. Much of Europe lay
in ruins, over sixty million people had been killed (most of them civilians), including approximately six million Jews and five million
non-Jews in what became known as the Holocaust. World War II resulted in the destruction of Germany's political and economic
infrastructure and led directly to its partition, considerable loss of territory (especially in the east), and historical legacy of guilt and
shame. At the Potsdam Conference, Germany was divided into four military occupation zones by the Allies, see Partitions of
Germany; the three western zones would form the Federal Republic of Germany (commonly known as West Germany), while part
of the Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (commonly known as East Germany), both founded in 1949. During
the summer of 1989 , rapid changes took place in East Germany, which ultimately led to German reunification that came into force
on 3 October 1990. Together with France and other EU states, the new Germany has played the leading role in the European
Union.
Source: Wikipedia: History of Germany
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force. Like its western European
neighbors, Germany faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and declining net
immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. The modernization and
integration of the eastern German economy - where unemployment can exceed 20% in some municipalities - continues to be a
costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting in 2008 alone to roughly $12 billion. Reforms launched
by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high
unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong growth in 2006 and 2007 and falling unemployment, which in 2008
reached a new post-reunification low of 7.8%. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme,
have helped to explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during Germany's 2008-09 recession - the deepest since
World War II. GDP grew just over 1% in 2008 and contracted roughly 5% in 2009. Germany crept out of recession in the second
and third quarters of 2009, thanks largely to rebounding manufacturing orders and exports - primarily outside the Euro Zone - and
relatively steady consumer demand. The German economy probably will recover to about 1.5% growth for the year 2010.
However, a relatively strong euro, tighter credit markets, and an anticipated bump in unemployment could cloud Germany's
medium-term recovery prospects. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor
Angela MERKEL's second term will increase Germany's record budget deficit, which is expected to exceed 5% of GDP in 2010.
The EU has given Germany until 2013 to get its consolidated budget deficit below 3% of GDP. A new constitutional amendment
likewise limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Germany)
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force. Like its western European
neighbors, Germany faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and declining net
immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. The modernization and
integration of the eastern German economy - where unemployment can exceed 20% in some municipalities - continues to be a
costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting in 2008 alone to roughly $12 billion. Reforms launched
by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high
unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong growth in 2006 and 2007 and falling unemployment, which in 2008
reached a new post-reunification low of 7.8%. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme,
have helped to explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during Germany's 2008-09 recession - the deepest since
World War II. GDP grew just over 1% in 2008 and contracted roughly 5% in 2009. Germany crept out of recession in the second
and third quarters of 2009, thanks largely to rebounding manufacturing orders and exports - primarily outside the Euro Zone - and
relatively steady consumer demand. The German economy probably will recover to about 1.5% growth for the year 2010.
However, a relatively strong euro, tighter credit markets, and an anticipated bump in unemployment could cloud Germany's
medium-term recovery prospects. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor
Angela MERKEL's second term will increase Germany's record budget deficit, which is expected to exceed 5% of GDP in 2010.
The EU has given Germany until 2013 to get its consolidated budget deficit below 3% of GDP. A new constitutional amendment
likewise limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Germany)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
On November 22, 2005, Angela Merkel was sworn in by president Horst Köhler for the office of Bundeskanzlerin. She is the first
woman, the first East German and the first scientist to be chancellor as well as the youngest post-war German chancellor. The
existence of the grand coalition on federal level helps smaller parties electoral prospects in state elections.
Since in 2008, the CSU lost its absolute majority in Bavaria and formed a coalition with the FDP, the grand coalition has no
majority in the Bundesrat and depends on FDP votes on important issues. In November 2008, the SPD re-elected Franz
Müntefering as its chairman and made Frank-Walter Steinmeier its leading candidate for the elections in September 2009.
As a result of the 2009 federal election, the grand coalition came to an end. The SPD suffered the heaviest losses in its history and
was unable to form a coalition government. Consequently, the SPD's status as a Volkspartei (parties in the German system that
have traditionally drawn votes from a broad group of supporters and claim to represent the interests of all German citizens, as
opposed to special interest parties that focus most of their energy around a single issue, such as the Pirate Party or the RRP) has
come into question. Many political commentators speculated in televised interviews on election night that Franz Müntefering will
most likely resign as party leader, and that Frank-Walter Steinmeier will eventually also step down from the ranks of the party's
leadership sometime thereafter. Many voters who had traditionally been supporters of the SPD split their votes in the 2009 election
between the FDP, the Left Party or the CDU, as the SPD had lost much of its former vitality and direction as a result of its
secondary role in the grand coalition, and its subsequently weak campaign efforts against the CDU before the 2009 election.
Christian Wulff was elected President of Germany on 30 June 2010, when he won 625 of 1242 votes in the third ballot of the
Federal Convention. Horst Köhler of the CDU was first elected in May 2004 and was reelected five years later, in May 2009. As
this party has usually the biggest support in national elections but also in the Länder, it is quite common that the Federal President is
a Christian Democrat. Horst Köhler resigned on May 31st, 2010, due to remarks he made concerning the military while speaking
before the troops in Afghanistan. He is Germany's youngest President (51 years) and the first Roman Catholic President in more
than forty years (the last Roman Catholic President was Heinrich Lübke). Wulff was sworn in on 2 July 2010 in front of the
Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Germany
woman, the first East German and the first scientist to be chancellor as well as the youngest post-war German chancellor. The
existence of the grand coalition on federal level helps smaller parties electoral prospects in state elections.
Since in 2008, the CSU lost its absolute majority in Bavaria and formed a coalition with the FDP, the grand coalition has no
majority in the Bundesrat and depends on FDP votes on important issues. In November 2008, the SPD re-elected Franz
Müntefering as its chairman and made Frank-Walter Steinmeier its leading candidate for the elections in September 2009.
As a result of the 2009 federal election, the grand coalition came to an end. The SPD suffered the heaviest losses in its history and
was unable to form a coalition government. Consequently, the SPD's status as a Volkspartei (parties in the German system that
have traditionally drawn votes from a broad group of supporters and claim to represent the interests of all German citizens, as
opposed to special interest parties that focus most of their energy around a single issue, such as the Pirate Party or the RRP) has
come into question. Many political commentators speculated in televised interviews on election night that Franz Müntefering will
most likely resign as party leader, and that Frank-Walter Steinmeier will eventually also step down from the ranks of the party's
leadership sometime thereafter. Many voters who had traditionally been supporters of the SPD split their votes in the 2009 election
between the FDP, the Left Party or the CDU, as the SPD had lost much of its former vitality and direction as a result of its
secondary role in the grand coalition, and its subsequently weak campaign efforts against the CDU before the 2009 election.
Christian Wulff was elected President of Germany on 30 June 2010, when he won 625 of 1242 votes in the third ballot of the
Federal Convention. Horst Köhler of the CDU was first elected in May 2004 and was reelected five years later, in May 2009. As
this party has usually the biggest support in national elections but also in the Länder, it is quite common that the Federal President is
a Christian Democrat. Horst Köhler resigned on May 31st, 2010, due to remarks he made concerning the military while speaking
before the troops in Afghanistan. He is Germany's youngest President (51 years) and the first Roman Catholic President in more
than forty years (the last Roman Catholic President was Heinrich Lübke). Wulff was sworn in on 2 July 2010 in front of the
Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
Source: Wikipedia: Politics of Germany
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
None reported.
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
Source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest
Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center
Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic drugs; major financial center
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Germany
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Germany is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 82 million. Citizens periodically choose their
representatives in free and fair multiparty elections. The head of the federal government, the chancellor, is elected by the Federal
Parliament (Bundestag). The second legislative chamber, the Federal Council (Bundesrat), represents the 16 states at the federal level and
is composed of members of the state governments. The constitution (Basic Law) sets forth the powers of the chancellor and the
legislative branch. The most recent national elections for the parliament took place in September. Civilian authorities generally maintained
effective control of the security forces.
The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens.
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Germany is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with a population of approximately 82 million. Citizens periodically choose their
representatives in free and fair multiparty elections. The head of the federal government, the chancellor, is elected by the Federal
Parliament (Bundestag). The second legislative chamber, the Federal Council (Bundesrat), represents the 16 states at the federal level and
is composed of members of the state governments. The constitution (Basic Law) sets forth the powers of the chancellor and the
legislative branch. The most recent national elections for the parliament took place in September. Civilian authorities generally maintained
effective control of the security forces.
The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens.
- The government limited the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association for neo-Nazi and other groups it deemed
extremist. - There was governmental and societal discrimination against some minority religious groups.
- Anti-Semitic attacks and vandalism;
- violence against women;
- trafficking in women, men, and children for sexual exploitation and forced labor;
- right-wing extremist violence and harassment of racial minorities and foreigners were problems.
22 February 2010
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 9
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban
Declaration and Programme of Action Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Githu Muigai
Mission to Germany*
Summary
At the invitation of the Government, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance visited Germany (Berlin, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Crostwitz, Rostock and Hamburg)
from 22 June to 1 July 2009.
The Special Rapporteur held extensive meetings with authorities from the executive, legislative and judicial branches, including at the
Länder and municipal levels. The Special Rapporteur also had extensive meetings with representatives of civil society organizations that
are active in the realm of racism and xenophobia, associations representing minority groups, religious communities, and individual
victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The Special Rapporteur formulates several recommendations, including the following:
• The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency should be provided with the human and financial resources necessary for it to be present in all
16 Länder. In addition, its mandate should be made more robust, allowing it to investigate complaints brought to its attention and to bring
proceedings before the courts. Finally, the Agency should be empowered to conduct proprio motu investigations, including in areas
such as employment and housing discrimination.
• An explicit reference to racism as an aggravating circumstance in crimes should be added under section 46 of the Criminal Code. In
addition, the Government should develop specific training for police officers, prosecutors and judges on the identification and
characterization of hate crimes.
• The Government should continue to make use of sections 84 and 85 of the Criminal Code and article 4 (b) of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in order to declare illegal and prohibit organizations which promote
and incite racial discrimination.
• As provided by article 1, paragraph 4, of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the
Special Rapporteur strongly recommends that special measures be taken to ensure an adequate representation of persons with a
migration background in State institutions – particularly in the areas of employment and education, in political institutions and the civil
administration.
Click here to read more »
Human Rights Council
Fourteenth session
Agenda item 9
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban
Declaration and Programme of Action Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Githu Muigai
Mission to Germany*
Summary
At the invitation of the Government, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance visited Germany (Berlin, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Crostwitz, Rostock and Hamburg)
from 22 June to 1 July 2009.
The Special Rapporteur held extensive meetings with authorities from the executive, legislative and judicial branches, including at the
Länder and municipal levels. The Special Rapporteur also had extensive meetings with representatives of civil society organizations that
are active in the realm of racism and xenophobia, associations representing minority groups, religious communities, and individual
victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The Special Rapporteur formulates several recommendations, including the following:
• The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency should be provided with the human and financial resources necessary for it to be present in all
16 Länder. In addition, its mandate should be made more robust, allowing it to investigate complaints brought to its attention and to bring
proceedings before the courts. Finally, the Agency should be empowered to conduct proprio motu investigations, including in areas
such as employment and housing discrimination.
• An explicit reference to racism as an aggravating circumstance in crimes should be added under section 46 of the Criminal Code. In
addition, the Government should develop specific training for police officers, prosecutors and judges on the identification and
characterization of hate crimes.
• The Government should continue to make use of sections 84 and 85 of the Criminal Code and article 4 (b) of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in order to declare illegal and prohibit organizations which promote
and incite racial discrimination.
• As provided by article 1, paragraph 4, of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the
Special Rapporteur strongly recommends that special measures be taken to ensure an adequate representation of persons with a
migration background in State institutions – particularly in the areas of employment and education, in political institutions and the civil
administration.
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Freedom In The World 2010 Report
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Parliamentary elections in September 2009 resulted in the formation of a majority coalition consisting of the two major center-right
parties, the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). The CDU’s
Angela Merkel was reelected as chancellor. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), part of the previous grand coalition with the CDU/CSU,
experienced the greatest decline in voter support of any party in German federal elections in 60 years.
Merkel enjoyed international prominence during 2007, hosting a Group of 8 summit and holding the rotating presidency of the European
Union (EU) for the first half of the year. However, tensions between the two parties of the grand coalition began to build during the
second half of its term, with each party trying to distinguish itself. Despite a lackluster political year, Merkel was overwhelmingly
reelected as party leader at the end of 2008, and the SPD named Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as its chancellor candidate for
the 2009 elections.
The political scene in 2009 was dominated by the federal election. The preelection period was characterized by low-key campaigning, as
both the CDU/CSU and SPD focused on defending their records within the grand coalition. In the September poll, the CDU/CSU won
239 seats with approximately 34 percent of the vote, while the FDP took 93 seats, up from 61 in 2005.The SPD captured only 146
seats—an 11 percent decline over the 2005 results—representing its worst performance in a German federal election and the most
significant decline in voter support of any party in federal elections in 60 years. Gains by the Greens were not significant enough to
offset the SPD’s losses, and once again no party was willing to form a coalition with the Left Party. The CDU/CSU and FDP formed a
majority coalition together without the SPD for the first time since 1998, and Merkel was reelected as chancellor. Although the election
was free and fair, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe sent election monitors after the parliamentary election
commission barred several very small parties from participating, in some cases because of legal technicalities.
In November, the controversial trial of John Demjanjuk—a Ukrainian-born former U.S. citizen and alleged World War II Nazi
concentration camp guard—began in Munich; Demjanjuk is suspected of facilitating the murder of thousands of Jews at the Sobibor
concentration camp. The trial has been contentious because Mr. Demjanjuk is elderly and in poor health, and he is the only low-ranking
official and the only foreign suspect to have been charged with Holocaust-related crimes. His trial is likely to be the last for Nazi-era war
crimes.
Germany is an electoral democracy. The constitution provides for a lower house of parliament, the 622-seat Bundestag (Federal
Assembly), elected at least every four years through a 50-50 mixture of proportional representation and single-member districts, as well
as an upper house, the Bundesrat (Federal Council), which represents the states. The country’s head of state is a largely ceremonial
president, chosen jointly bythe Bundestag and a group of state representatives to serve up to two five-year terms. In Germany’s federal
system, state governments have considerable authority over matters such as education, policing, taxation, and spending. The chancellor,
the head of government, is elected by the Bundestag and usually serves for the duration of a four-year legislative session, which can be
cut short only if the Bundestag chooses a replacement in a so-called constructive vote of no confidence.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Parliamentary elections in September 2009 resulted in the formation of a majority coalition consisting of the two major center-right
parties, the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). The CDU’s
Angela Merkel was reelected as chancellor. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), part of the previous grand coalition with the CDU/CSU,
experienced the greatest decline in voter support of any party in German federal elections in 60 years.
Merkel enjoyed international prominence during 2007, hosting a Group of 8 summit and holding the rotating presidency of the European
Union (EU) for the first half of the year. However, tensions between the two parties of the grand coalition began to build during the
second half of its term, with each party trying to distinguish itself. Despite a lackluster political year, Merkel was overwhelmingly
reelected as party leader at the end of 2008, and the SPD named Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as its chancellor candidate for
the 2009 elections.
The political scene in 2009 was dominated by the federal election. The preelection period was characterized by low-key campaigning, as
both the CDU/CSU and SPD focused on defending their records within the grand coalition. In the September poll, the CDU/CSU won
239 seats with approximately 34 percent of the vote, while the FDP took 93 seats, up from 61 in 2005.The SPD captured only 146
seats—an 11 percent decline over the 2005 results—representing its worst performance in a German federal election and the most
significant decline in voter support of any party in federal elections in 60 years. Gains by the Greens were not significant enough to
offset the SPD’s losses, and once again no party was willing to form a coalition with the Left Party. The CDU/CSU and FDP formed a
majority coalition together without the SPD for the first time since 1998, and Merkel was reelected as chancellor. Although the election
was free and fair, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe sent election monitors after the parliamentary election
commission barred several very small parties from participating, in some cases because of legal technicalities.
In November, the controversial trial of John Demjanjuk—a Ukrainian-born former U.S. citizen and alleged World War II Nazi
concentration camp guard—began in Munich; Demjanjuk is suspected of facilitating the murder of thousands of Jews at the Sobibor
concentration camp. The trial has been contentious because Mr. Demjanjuk is elderly and in poor health, and he is the only low-ranking
official and the only foreign suspect to have been charged with Holocaust-related crimes. His trial is likely to be the last for Nazi-era war
crimes.
Germany is an electoral democracy. The constitution provides for a lower house of parliament, the 622-seat Bundestag (Federal
Assembly), elected at least every four years through a 50-50 mixture of proportional representation and single-member districts, as well
as an upper house, the Bundesrat (Federal Council), which represents the states. The country’s head of state is a largely ceremonial
president, chosen jointly bythe Bundestag and a group of state representatives to serve up to two five-year terms. In Germany’s federal
system, state governments have considerable authority over matters such as education, policing, taxation, and spending. The chancellor,
the head of government, is elected by the Bundestag and usually serves for the duration of a four-year legislative session, which can be
cut short only if the Bundestag chooses a replacement in a so-called constructive vote of no confidence.
Click here to read more »
Germany must investigate police abuse claims violations were a risk.
8 July 2010
I heard something split and crack, felt a blow on my shoulder, then one on my forehead and one on the back of my head. Then I passed
out."
PW describing his treatment by the police
Germany’s failure to thoroughly investigate claims of police ill-treatment and the use of excessive force has denied justice for victims of
abuse, Amnesty International said in a report published on Thursday.
The report, Unknown Assailant - Insufficient investigation into alleged ill-treatment by police in Germany, details three deaths and 12
cases of serious injury following police action but it is believed that there could be many more.
“Law enforcement officials are not above the law – they are subject to it. This means that the police must be accountable to the law, to
the state and to the public,” said David Diaz-Jogeix, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director.
“Failure to live up to international standards on effective and independent investigations is leading to a climate of impunity and a lack of
accountability”
The report describes how excessive force is used during arrests, against suspects held in police stations, against protesters at
demonstrations, during deportations and on other occasions.
It also documents the reasons why law enforcement officials are rarely brought to account for human rights violations.
Lack of information about how to lodge a criminal complaint, difficulty in identifying police officers and inadequate investigations have
prevented victims or their relatives from receiving justice.
Amnesty International is concerned that despite Germany’s obligations under national and international law, abuses committed by the
police continue to take place.
Click here to read more »
8 July 2010
I heard something split and crack, felt a blow on my shoulder, then one on my forehead and one on the back of my head. Then I passed
out."
PW describing his treatment by the police
Germany’s failure to thoroughly investigate claims of police ill-treatment and the use of excessive force has denied justice for victims of
abuse, Amnesty International said in a report published on Thursday.
The report, Unknown Assailant - Insufficient investigation into alleged ill-treatment by police in Germany, details three deaths and 12
cases of serious injury following police action but it is believed that there could be many more.
“Law enforcement officials are not above the law – they are subject to it. This means that the police must be accountable to the law, to
the state and to the public,” said David Diaz-Jogeix, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director.
“Failure to live up to international standards on effective and independent investigations is leading to a climate of impunity and a lack of
accountability”
The report describes how excessive force is used during arrests, against suspects held in police stations, against protesters at
demonstrations, during deportations and on other occasions.
It also documents the reasons why law enforcement officials are rarely brought to account for human rights violations.
Lack of information about how to lodge a criminal complaint, difficulty in identifying police officers and inadequate investigations have
prevented victims or their relatives from receiving justice.
Amnesty International is concerned that despite Germany’s obligations under national and international law, abuses committed by the
police continue to take place.
Click here to read more »
Germany: Accepting Guantanamo Detainees a Positive Step
Resettling Those No Longer Considered a Threat Helps Advance Effort to Close the Prison
July 7, 2010
(Berlin) - The German government's decision on July 7, 2010, to accept two Guantanamo Baydetainees for resettlement is an important
step in closing down the prison, Human Rights Watch said today.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced that Germany will take two of the three Guantanamo detainees the US had asked
Germany to allow to resettle in the country. The detainees will be accepted by Hamburg and Rhineland-Palatine. The minister did not
provide the men's names or nationalities.
"Chancellor Angela Merkel has long criticized unlawful detention at Guantanamo, and the action of the German government today will
help advance the goal of closing down the prison," said Marianne Heuwagen, Germany director at Human Rights Watch. "We hope other
countries will follow Germany's example."
Germany's decision toaccept two Guantanamo detainees who the US believes no longer pose a threat should be commended, Human
Rights Watch said.
The US continues to hold 181 detainees at Guantanamo, although it intends to prosecute only 36 of them. While the US has refused to
accept any Guantanamo detainees for resettlement in the US, France, Spain, Portugal, Albania, Bulgaria, and now Germany have stepped
forward to assist in resettlement and to move efforts forward toclose the prison at Guantanamo.
Click here to read more »
Resettling Those No Longer Considered a Threat Helps Advance Effort to Close the Prison
July 7, 2010
(Berlin) - The German government's decision on July 7, 2010, to accept two Guantanamo Baydetainees for resettlement is an important
step in closing down the prison, Human Rights Watch said today.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced that Germany will take two of the three Guantanamo detainees the US had asked
Germany to allow to resettle in the country. The detainees will be accepted by Hamburg and Rhineland-Palatine. The minister did not
provide the men's names or nationalities.
"Chancellor Angela Merkel has long criticized unlawful detention at Guantanamo, and the action of the German government today will
help advance the goal of closing down the prison," said Marianne Heuwagen, Germany director at Human Rights Watch. "We hope other
countries will follow Germany's example."
Germany's decision toaccept two Guantanamo detainees who the US believes no longer pose a threat should be commended, Human
Rights Watch said.
The US continues to hold 181 detainees at Guantanamo, although it intends to prosecute only 36 of them. While the US has refused to
accept any Guantanamo detainees for resettlement in the US, France, Spain, Portugal, Albania, Bulgaria, and now Germany have stepped
forward to assist in resettlement and to move efforts forward toclose the prison at Guantanamo.
Click here to read more »
Welcome speech by Ambassador Dr. Martin Ney, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Germany, at the opening of the reception "From
peaceful revolution to German unity", New York, 11 November 2009
Twenty years ago, on November 9th, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and the painful division of Germany came to an end. For 28 long years,
from 1961 to 1989, the wall had divided Berlin. The border fence with its mine fields, watch dogs and armed soldiers had cut right
through the middle of Germany. 20 million East Germans had been separated by the Communist regime from their families and friends in
the Western part of the country and deprived of the freedom to travel to the West.
Can you remember where you were on that Thursday evening in November when the wall came down? How you felt when you heard
the news that the border had been opened?
Every single German from the former East and West alike is able to answer that question still today. That day will forever remain etched
into our individual and collective memory.
For me personally, November 9th, 1989 set in motion a far-reaching career change. At the time, I was posted to the German embassy in
Thailand. With two days notice, I was then called back to Bonn, where I had the opportunity to serve as the legal advisor to the West
German delegation during the negotiations of the external aspects of unification. The result of these negotiations, the so-called “2 + 4
Treaty” is covered in our exhibit as well, and the young man in the photograph, bending over the shoulder of the Prime Minister of the
German Democratic Republic and showing him where to sign the treaty, is me.
Commemorating the fall of the wall together with you today fills us with great joy and deep gratitude. For Germany, a dream came true..
A new era in history was ushered in: an era that saw the unification of Germany less than a year after the fall of the wall; it saw the end
of the Cold War with its bipolar world order and the beginning of a fully united European continent.
For all this, we are deeply grateful, because we were given the “incredible gift of freedom”, as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel put
it in a recent speech.
But, as the Greek historian Thucydides observed: “The secret of freedom is courage”. And that amply describes what it took to tear
down the wall.
That is why today we are celebrating the courage and the irrepressible will of so many East Germans who took to the streets in protests
against their communist government.
Click here to read more »
peaceful revolution to German unity", New York, 11 November 2009
Twenty years ago, on November 9th, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and the painful division of Germany came to an end. For 28 long years,
from 1961 to 1989, the wall had divided Berlin. The border fence with its mine fields, watch dogs and armed soldiers had cut right
through the middle of Germany. 20 million East Germans had been separated by the Communist regime from their families and friends in
the Western part of the country and deprived of the freedom to travel to the West.
Can you remember where you were on that Thursday evening in November when the wall came down? How you felt when you heard
the news that the border had been opened?
Every single German from the former East and West alike is able to answer that question still today. That day will forever remain etched
into our individual and collective memory.
For me personally, November 9th, 1989 set in motion a far-reaching career change. At the time, I was posted to the German embassy in
Thailand. With two days notice, I was then called back to Bonn, where I had the opportunity to serve as the legal advisor to the West
German delegation during the negotiations of the external aspects of unification. The result of these negotiations, the so-called “2 + 4
Treaty” is covered in our exhibit as well, and the young man in the photograph, bending over the shoulder of the Prime Minister of the
German Democratic Republic and showing him where to sign the treaty, is me.
Commemorating the fall of the wall together with you today fills us with great joy and deep gratitude. For Germany, a dream came true..
A new era in history was ushered in: an era that saw the unification of Germany less than a year after the fall of the wall; it saw the end
of the Cold War with its bipolar world order and the beginning of a fully united European continent.
For all this, we are deeply grateful, because we were given the “incredible gift of freedom”, as the German Chancellor Angela Merkel put
it in a recent speech.
But, as the Greek historian Thucydides observed: “The secret of freedom is courage”. And that amply describes what it took to tear
down the wall.
That is why today we are celebrating the courage and the irrepressible will of so many East Germans who took to the streets in protests
against their communist government.
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
09/10/2010
Press release: Monitoring Agency to the UN Disabilities urges states to implement legislation on inclusive education
Berlin - In the 2010/2011 school year in Germany with disabilities access to education for school children are not granted. 'It may not be
that concerned remain excluded against their will from the general school system ", said Valentin Aichele, director of the monitoring
body to the UN Disabilities. "Disabled girls and boys have a human rights claim to a meaningful educational opportunities in the general
education system," stressed Aichele with reference to the UN Disabilities. The right to inclusive education must therefore be considered
more in the provinces.
This position represents the monitoring agency also issued a statement on the right to inclusive education and its importance to the
administrative and judicial practice, which was published today. In it she criticizes in particular the decision of the Hesse Administrative
(7 B 2763/09) of 12.11.2009: The court had failed to correct the Disabilities in all parts present and assess their position and importance
within the German legal system adequately.
"It is a structural problem that authorities and courts have little to know about the status and importance of the UN Disabilities," said
Aichele. Under the convention, they were obliged to take reasonable steps to disabled children and young people a non-discriminatory
access to the general education grant. If authorities do not fulfill this obligation, this could be judicially reviewed.
The independent monitoring body to the UN Disabilities was established in May 2009 at the German Institute for Human Rights in Berlin.
Its mission is to promote the rights of people with disabilities and to monitor the implementation of the Convention.
Click here to read more »
09/10/2010
Press release: Monitoring Agency to the UN Disabilities urges states to implement legislation on inclusive education
Berlin - In the 2010/2011 school year in Germany with disabilities access to education for school children are not granted. 'It may not be
that concerned remain excluded against their will from the general school system ", said Valentin Aichele, director of the monitoring
body to the UN Disabilities. "Disabled girls and boys have a human rights claim to a meaningful educational opportunities in the general
education system," stressed Aichele with reference to the UN Disabilities. The right to inclusive education must therefore be considered
more in the provinces.
This position represents the monitoring agency also issued a statement on the right to inclusive education and its importance to the
administrative and judicial practice, which was published today. In it she criticizes in particular the decision of the Hesse Administrative
(7 B 2763/09) of 12.11.2009: The court had failed to correct the Disabilities in all parts present and assess their position and importance
within the German legal system adequately.
"It is a structural problem that authorities and courts have little to know about the status and importance of the UN Disabilities," said
Aichele. Under the convention, they were obliged to take reasonable steps to disabled children and young people a non-discriminatory
access to the general education grant. If authorities do not fulfill this obligation, this could be judicially reviewed.
The independent monitoring body to the UN Disabilities was established in May 2009 at the German Institute for Human Rights in Berlin.
Its mission is to promote the rights of people with disabilities and to monitor the implementation of the Convention.
Click here to read more »
| DER MENSCHENRECHT SAUSSCHUSS DES DEUTSCHEN BUNDESTAGES/ HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE OF THE GERMAN BUNDESTAG |
TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
"Improving the reality of life of children"
17 September 2010
On 20 September in Germany, as every year we celebrate the World Children's Day to highlight the rights and needs of children. A
representation in the Bundestag have a long time: In 1988, the Commission for Children (KiKo) launched as a permanent subcommittee
of the Family, ioren Sen, Women and Youth and the world's first Parliament committee this kind An interview with its current Chairman
and CDU Members Eckhard pole from Lüneburg - the Chair rotating among its five members - on the theme of this year's World
Children's Day, the "Children's health" of laws and the benefits of consensus.
"More respect for children" is the motto of this year's World Children's Day. An apt motto?
Yes, because respect is the essential basis and prerequisite for responsible use with children. And because it is missing in many cases in
Germany. Children need to move more strongly into the focus of politics and society, we as a Children's Commission for years. "More
respect for children is" in that a fitting motto for our work. Because we review laws and draft laws to see if they take into account the
interests of children and young people enough.
Why is this important?
Because many of the decisions of Parliament, directly or indirectly affect the lives of children and adolescents. This runs through almost
all policy areas, ranging from traffic on health to labor and social affairs and family of course. Hartz IV and the new maintenance law are
for only the most prominent examples.
That sounds like a lot of work.
Yes, and they frankly beyond our capacity, especially as each group traditionally sends only one member in the KiKo. In addition, the
review of current legislative proposals for their "children suitability" While the most important, but not the only task of the Commission
for Children.
Click here to read more>>
"Improving the reality of life of children"
17 September 2010
On 20 September in Germany, as every year we celebrate the World Children's Day to highlight the rights and needs of children. A
representation in the Bundestag have a long time: In 1988, the Commission for Children (KiKo) launched as a permanent subcommittee
of the Family, ioren Sen, Women and Youth and the world's first Parliament committee this kind An interview with its current Chairman
and CDU Members Eckhard pole from Lüneburg - the Chair rotating among its five members - on the theme of this year's World
Children's Day, the "Children's health" of laws and the benefits of consensus.
"More respect for children" is the motto of this year's World Children's Day. An apt motto?
Yes, because respect is the essential basis and prerequisite for responsible use with children. And because it is missing in many cases in
Germany. Children need to move more strongly into the focus of politics and society, we as a Children's Commission for years. "More
respect for children is" in that a fitting motto for our work. Because we review laws and draft laws to see if they take into account the
interests of children and young people enough.
Why is this important?
Because many of the decisions of Parliament, directly or indirectly affect the lives of children and adolescents. This runs through almost
all policy areas, ranging from traffic on health to labor and social affairs and family of course. Hartz IV and the new maintenance law are
for only the most prominent examples.
That sounds like a lot of work.
Yes, and they frankly beyond our capacity, especially as each group traditionally sends only one member in the KiKo. In addition, the
review of current legislative proposals for their "children suitability" While the most important, but not the only task of the Commission
for Children.
Click here to read more>>
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Christian Wulff
President since 30 June 2010
President since 30 June 2010
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
