The federal government admitted to the UN that Germany had ignored the issue of racism for decades. Despite some progress, there is still “a lot of catching up to do”.
The Federal Republic admitted to the UN Committee against Racial Discrimination (CERD) that it had neglected the issue of racism for decades. A lot has happened in recent years, but there is still a lot of catching up to do, said Sigrid Jacobi, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights, before the committee in Geneva.
The body reviews the situation in all 182 signatory countries to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination every few years. Governments submit reports, other countries can ask questions and make recommendations. There are no sanctions of any kind.
Ambassador Gillhoff emphasizes loyalty to Israel
The federal government’s report was from 2020, but was only examined now due to, among other things, the corona pandemic. The deputy ambassador in Geneva, Nikola Gillhoff, began by briefly referring to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and statements that are often made at demonstrations in support of the Palestinians.
Germany condemns the Hamas attacks and is concerned about the devastating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. However, the government formally rejects any comparison of the events with the Holocaust. Israel’s right to exist is non-negotiable and the country has a right to self-defense.
Parallel report describes AfD as dangerous
The German Institute for Human Rights presented a parallel report. It referred to the AfD, which it described as dangerous. The party aims to eliminate the free-democratic basic order and rejects the equality of all people. “Those entitled to apply (Federal Government, Bundesrat and Bundestag) should prepare for a possible application for a ban before the Federal Constitutional Court in order to be able to act at any time,” said the institute.