Discrimination against Scientologists called
“disgrace to the German nation”

op performers, artists and prominent entertainment industry executives appealed to Chancellor Helmut Kohl to put an end to the shameful pattern of organized persecution against Scientology artists in Germany.

In an Open Letter published by the International Herald Tribune, Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn, Sherry Lansing, Sid Sheinberg, Oliver Stone, Tina Sinatra, Constantin Costa-Gavras, Mario Puzo, Larry King, Gore Vidal and Bertram Fields, amongst others, stated, referring to the attacks on the rights of Scientologists in Germany:

“When a modern nation demonstrates its unwillingness to protect the basic rights of a group of its citizens, and, indeed, exhibits a willingness to condone and participate in their persecution, right thinking people in other countries must speak out. Extremists of your party should not be permitted to believe that the rest of the World will look the other way. Not this time. Those who seek to gain political power or to indulge personal hatreds by repeating the deplorable tactics of the 1930s cannot be permitted that luxury. This time voices will be raised.”

Commenting on the publication of this Open Letter, the President of the Church of Scientology International, Reverend Heber Jentzsch, said:

“The issue is very clear-cut: German government officials are seeking to deny their legitimate rights solely on the basis of their religious beliefs. These officials are trying to inhibit the freedom of artists to write, think and talk as their conscience dictates. That is exactly what happened in the 1930s.

“These German officials want every movie and book released in Germany to carry a stamp that says, ‘This work of art complies fully with the official policies of the German government.’ No artist or creator will allow this to happen.

“It is time for German officials to wake up and realize that we live in the 1990s, not the 1930s. Their totalitarian discrimination threatens the very fibre of democracy in Germany.

“If Germany wants to become a real democracy, it must respect the rights of everyone. It has no tradition of human rights nor religious freedom. German officials should have learned that lesson rather than repeating history.

“We are greatly encouraged that so many prominent figures in the entertainment industry have spoken out against religious apartheid in Germany, and hope that Chancellor Kohl heeds their admonition to restore democratic principles in his country. Their warning is timely. The United Nations Human Rights Committee recently announced severe criticisms of Germany for abusing the rights of religious and ethnic minorities.”

An Open letter to Helmut Kohl
Former Chancellor of the German Federal Republic

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