Institute Calls on German Defense Ministry to Fire its Spokesperson for Discriminatory Remarks

Washington, DC, June 26, 2007

In response to reports that the German Defense Ministry has decided not to allow the upcoming production “Valkyrie”, a film starring Tom Cruise as the World War Two resistance hero Col. Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg, the Institute for Religion and Public Policy has sent a letter to the Dense Ministry which contained the following statement:

“Harald Kammerbauer, spokesman for Germany’s Defense Ministry, has issued a public statement that “Producers will not be allowed to film at German military sites if Count Stauffenberg is played by Tom Cruise, ‘because he is a member of the Church of Scientology.’ This kind of utterance by a federal government spokesperson represents a flagrant case of intolerance.

The right of an actor to express his art should not be infringed simply due to his religious association and beliefs. This statement by Mr. Kammerbauer undermines fundamental rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of religion in contravention of the principles articulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and UNESCO’s Recommendation Concerning the Status of the Artist. It also undermines the right of the German people to appreciate the artists of their choice irrespective of race, color, religion or belief.

Simply put, Mr. Kammerbauer’s gratuitous remarks have no place in a democratic society and run completely counter to fundamental human rights. They do a great disservice to the Federal Republic of Germany. Under such circumstances, the only appropriate action is for the Defense Ministry to take immediate steps to sanction its spokesman by removing him from his office.”

Source: http://www.religionandpolicy.org/show.php?p=1.1.1924

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