Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief
    Participants at the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Berlin

    10 October Germany initiates international cooperation to strengthen freedom of religion or belief in the digital space

    Picture on the front of the 3rd Report of the Federal Government on the Global Situation of Freedom of Religion or Belief: The picture was made with woollen threads by the cacique José Ávila of the Huichol, an indigenous people living in the Sierra Madre in the Mexican state of Najarit. In addition to the sun, it shows the peyote cactus and cult objects of the shamans.

    Reporting period 2020–2022 The Federal Government’s Third Report on the Global Status of Freedom of Religion or belief

    Frank Schwabe in the reopened Citadel Synagogue in Timisoara, Romania

    5 January 2022 Frank Schwabe has been appointed new Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief

    Symbolic image of world religions, depicted in the form of graffiti on a cement surface: four red figures symbolise different religions

    Legal basis Freedom of religion or belief

    News

    Frank Schwabe, Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief

    Statement Schwabe: Protect Ukraine’s right of self-determination and human rights!

    21. February 2025 |

    On the third anniversary of Russia’s attack against Ukraine on 24 February, Frank Schwabe made the following statement: “Any negotiations about the future of Ukraine must involve Ukraine. The country’s right of self-determination must be the highest priority, not any deals about natural resources that could retroactively legitimise the human rights violations and atrocities committed by Russia. (...)”

    Cover: Strengthening freedom of belief worldwide

    New publication Information brochure on freedom of belief

    21. October 2024 |

    Frank Schwabe: “By championing freedom of belief, I am also strengthening the right to freedom of religion. Wherever people are being persecuted for their religion, we can be fairly sure that people are also being discriminated against for their beliefs.”

    Frank Schwabe, Federal Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion or Belief, during his opening speech at the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief

    International conference Germany initiates international cooperation to strengthen freedom of religion or belief in the digital space

    10. October 2024 |

    What is the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on freedom of religion or belief? On 10 October 2024, this question was discussed at an international conference in Berlin hosted by the German Development Ministry (BMZ) and Frank Schwabe, Federal Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion or Belief.

    Logo: Human rights
    Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
    Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    Frank Schwabe, Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief

    The Commissioner Frank Schwabe

    In January 2021, Frank Schwabe MdB (Member of the German Parliament) was appointed to the post of Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief. The staff unit that supports him in this role is based at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Berlin. The office of Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief was created in the 19th legislative period of the German Bundestag (parliament).

    Publications

    Cover: Strengthening freedom of belief worldwide

    Strengthening freedom of belief worldwide

    PDF | 10/2024 | 8 MB, 16 Pages | Accessible
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    Cover: Strengthening freedom of religion or belief

    Strengthening freedom of religion or belief

    Frank Schwabe, Federal Government Commissioner for Global Freedom of Religion or Belief

    PDF | 11/2022 | 1 MB, 4 Pages | Accessible
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