{"id":76763,"date":"2026-07-24T14:07:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T12:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/?p=76763"},"modified":"2026-07-24T14:09:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T12:09:41","slug":"thomas-rachel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/thomas-rachel\/","title":{"rendered":"Thomas Rachel"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_76759\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-76759\" class=\"wp-image-76759 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel.jpg\" alt=\"Rachel\" width=\"1920\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-31x7.jpg 31w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-200x48.jpg 200w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-400x96.jpg 400w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-405x97.jpg 405w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-600x144.jpg 600w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-768x184.jpg 768w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-800x192.jpg 800w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-1024x245.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-1200x288.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel-1536x368.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Rachel.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-76759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, spoke at the 2026 annual general meeting of the IGFM in Bonn about the global threat to religious freedom and the situation in countries like China, Iran, and Turkey.<\/p><\/div>\n<h1>People are being deprived of their existential basic rights,\u00a0their human rights,\u00a0 and also their right to freedom of religion and\u00a0belief.\u201d<\/h1>\n<p>Bonn, April 11, 2026<\/p>\n<p>Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n<p>dear Edgar Lamm, dear Valerio Kr\u00fcger,<\/p>\n<p>I am very pleased to be here with you today.<\/p>\n<p>I do not know what brought each of you to human rights work. I imagine there were widely varying reasons, current events, and moments that prompted your decision to get involved. For me, it was the campaign for Nico H\u00fcbner. Some of you might still remember him\u2014a GDR civil rights activist who was imprisoned and sent to a penitentiary because he refused military or combat service in the NVA (National People\u2019s Army) in the GDR. Back then, dear Edgar, I stood in the D\u00fcren pedestrian zone collecting signatures for him alongside the IGFM. That is how my commitment to the politically persecuted began. Looking back, that same trajectory continues today.<\/p>\n<p><iframe  id=\"_ytid_82289\"  width=\"2120\" height=\"1193\"  data-origwidth=\"2120\" data-origheight=\"1193\"  data-relstop=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v7a22kT1yXQ?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  epyt-is-override  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I took on the parliamentary sponsorship of the Bundestag for Maria Kalesnikava, who, fortunately, has since been released from a prison camp in Belarus along with other political prisoners. Yet, hundreds remain imprisoned in Belarus. I also hold a sponsorship for a member of parliament from Venezuela. Furthermore, I sponsor the opposition leader in Tanzania, Tundu Lissu, who is currently facing the death penalty. This shows you just how urgent this topic remains today, in the year 2026, and why it is so vital that we look out for those facing immense pressure because of their political views or religious convictions\u2014beliefs that form the very core of their human identity. They suffer because the countries they live in refuse to grant them the freedom they deserve.<\/p>\n<p>Today, I have the duty and the honor of serving as the Federal Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion and Belief, a role I undertake with deep commitment. Naturally, I cannot do this alone; it requires widespread support. It demands support precisely from civil society organizations that advocate for others in these regions and countries, placing indivisible human rights at the absolute forefront\u2014something the International Society for Human Rights does excellently, in my view. I am thinking, for instance, of their numerous events, the IGFM newsletter, or\u2014as I see Professor Schirrmacher here in the hall\u2014the Yearbooks of Religious Freedom. The IGFM publishes these alongside Professor Schirrmacher, providing a scientifically grounded stance on these critical issues.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-22521\" title=\"Thomas Rachel Beitragsbild\" src=\"https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/P1058724-scaled-1.jpg 2048w\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1366\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-text\">Thomas Rachel MdB of the Annual Meeting 2026 \/ Photo: Sajedeh Jalali (IGFM)<\/p>\n<p>Ladies and gentlemen, the topic of freedom of religion and belief as a human right is codified and anchored in international law\u2014specifically in Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In this context, however, I would also like to recall our own constitution, Article 4 of the Basic Law, as well as Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which together explicitly guarantee and highlight the human right to freedom of religion and belief.<\/p>\n<p>Freedom of religion and belief is grounded in the universal character of human rights and, moreover, applies regardless of denominational or philosophical affiliation. Consequently, it protects non-religious beliefs\u2014such as atheistic or agnostic convictions\u2014as well as the right to change one\u2019s religion. These rights, guaranteed under international law, are clearly formulated. Yet, when we examine the reality on the ground, the situation varies significantly across regions and continents. We see that discrimination and the persecution of Christians is a particularly prominent issue, taking place in many locations, as Christians constitute the largest group globally and are subject to severe persecution.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>At this point, however, I also want to emphasize that freedoms for Christians cannot be separated from other religious freedoms; restrictions on religious freedom affect everyone equally and\u2014only in rare, specific circumstances\u2014exclusively target Christians.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Let me perhaps highlight this point: the IGFM advocates for the entire canon of all human rights, and rightly so. Today, I want to focus my attention primarily on the area of religious freedom. To explain why this makes sense, I would like to quote Pope Leo XIV. He spoke many wise words, but there is one particular phrase I would like to highlight. He formulated it as follows:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReligious freedom is a cornerstone of any just society, for it protects the moral space in which conscience can be formed, developed, and exercised.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And that is exactly what makes religion and religious identity so unique.<\/p>\n<p>Fully 80% of the world\u2019s population state that religion and religious conviction are a central element of their existence. It shapes their identity. To put it another way, they wake up with God. And they go to sleep with God at night. It guides them, and it is of paramount importance to their lives.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fusion-image-element awb-imageframe-style awb-imageframe-style-below awb-imageframe-style-3\">\n<p><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-22529\" title=\"JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200\u00d7800\" src=\"https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200x800-1.jpeg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200x800-1-200x133.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200x800-1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200x800-1-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200x800-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/ishr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JHV-2026-Saji-10-1200x800-1.jpeg 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-container\">\n<div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption\">\n<p class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-text\">Photo: Sajedeh Jalali (IGFM)<\/p>\n<p>However, when looking at global developments, we see an increase in the instrumentalization and politicization of religion, which challenges democracies and places religious minorities under immense pressure. At the same time, freedom of religion and belief is under massive pressure worldwide. Freedom of religion and belief serves as an important indicator for the preservation of human dignity, stability, peace, and freedom within a society. For this reason, among others, the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, who are often most severely affected by discrimination, is of particular importance.<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Government will continue to actively advocate worldwide for the unity of human rights and freedom of religion and belief, and we do so naturally out of the core principles shaped by Article 1 and Article 4 of our Basic Law. However, we are witnessing an increasing number of autocracies questioning international norms and international law, deliberately attempting to relativize and undermine the universal validity of human rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People are being deprived of their existential basic rights,\u00a0their human rights,\u00a0 and also their right to freedom of religion and\u00a0belief.\u201d Bonn, April 11, 2026 Ladies and gentlemen, dear Edgar Lamm, dear Valerio Kr\u00fcger, I am very pleased to be here with you today. I do not know what brought each of you to human rights work. I imagine there were widely varying reasons, current events, and moments that prompted your<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":76764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"Thomas Rachel - Menschenrechte Osteuropa - News &amp; Konflikte","description":"Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, spoke at the 2026 annual general meeting of the IGFM in Bonn about the global threat to religious freedom and the"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[218],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bl-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/113"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76763"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76772,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76763\/revisions\/76772"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humanrights-online.org\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}