Religious Apartheid 1997 – Continuing Official Repression of Minority Religious Rights in Germany

Such declaration forms are deliberately designed to require an individual to: (1) either declare his religious beliefs and be punished for them by being blacklisted or boycotted; or (2) publicly denounce his beliefs under threat of economic sanctions. This policy is manifestly illegal and contrary to fundamental human rights.

Since then, the use of such declaration forms, chillingly referred to as “sect filters,” has become commonplace in Germany under the government’s encouragement, example and leadership. Individuals and businesses are routinely required to sign a declaration swearing that they are not Scientologists, do not (and will not in the future) sympathize with Scientology and reject its teachings in order to: be hired or maintain a job in a company; join or remain in a political party, trade union, social group, profession, or athletic club; sign a business or service contract; and open a bank account or receive a bank loan.

In August 1996, the Bavarian Cabinet announced that Scientologists will be banned from civil service. This policy became effective November 1, 1996. The State requires all persons seeking employment in the public sector in Bavaria must fill out a questionnaire regarding their association with Scientology and attest that they disassociate themselves from Scientology. Anyone who refuses to fill out such a form will not be hired. In addition, those already employed will be required to provide similar information and will face disciplinary measures if they admit any association with Scientology, refuse to renounce their Scientology beliefs, or refuse to provide responses regarding such association. Moreover, if a company doing business with the government of Bavaria is “suspected” of having Scientology connections, it must execute a similar declaration or the contract offer with the state will not be considered.⁷

The cities of Augsburg and Regensburg in Bavaria have adopted similar measures and declarations for employees and business contractors to sign.⁸

Also in August 1996, the CDU and SPD in Lower Saxony announced that they had agreed that Scientologists are not welcome in public service and that prospective government employees and companies doing business with the state must declare that they are not associated with Scientology.⁹

In June 1996, the Chairman of the CDU Federal Committee of Experts released a catalogue of recommended measures against Scientology for review, ratification and discussion at the CDU Party Congress in October 1996. These measures include: a demand that the Federal government prohibit Scientology in Germany; creation of laws banning Scientologists from the civil service; creation of legislation requiring members of the Bundestag and all State Parliaments to declare in writing that they are not Scientologists; creation of laws banning Scientologists from performing or displaying their art at all state supported concerts and other artistic and cultural events; identification of Scientology artists so that no contracts are signed with them in the first place; and prohibiting companies and persons from working with or doing business with the government unless they affirmatively state that they have no connection to Scientology.¹⁰

Blacklisting and Economic Boycotting
of Scientologists Continued...

| Previous | Glossary | Contents | Next |
| Your View | Related Sites | Home Page |