Bishop Kühnbaum-Schmidt of North Church Urges Protection for Jewish Life in State Constitutions
Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt, the Bishop of North Church, has called upon the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state government to incorporate the protection of Jewish life into their constitution. She draws attention to similar efforts in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, where Jewish rights have already been recognized as state objectives.
As Hanukkah approaches, the Bishop extends hopeful greetings to the Jewish community. Together with the Catholic Archdiocese of Hamburg, North Church is running a joint advertisement in various Northern German newspapers on Hanukkah's first day. The advertisement reads, "As Christians, we stand by your side during these challenging times, when anti-Semitic attacks and hatred towards Jews impact us all deeply."
Reflecting on Past and Present Challenges
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's state government has yet to consider incorporating the protection of Jewish life into their constitution. The Bishop's push follows the recognition of the fight against racism and anti-Semitism as a state objective in Hamburg's constitution during the spring. In Schleswig-Holstein, efforts are underway to secure religious freedom in the constitution. All three regions grapple with upholding their constitutions while safeguarding the rights of varied faiths, such as Judaism and Christianity, as demonstrated by the North Church and Hamburg's Catholic Archdiocese.
Amending Constitutions
To incorporate the protection of Jewish life and combat anti-Semitism, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schleswig-Holstein, and Hamburg would need to follow a similar process as federal constitutional amendments in Germany. This can involve proposal and debate in state parliaments, a majority vote, public consultation, approval by parliament, referendum (if necessary), and signing into law.
The proposed amendments must adhere to federal and international human rights standards. They should strengthen existing protections against discrimination and align with relevant international treaties and conventions.
Addressing Anti-Semitism
The implementation of these amendments also requires educational programs to increase awareness about the dangers of anti-Semitism and the value of safeguarding Jewish life. Additionally, the legal framework should be updated to include provisions penalizing anti-Semitic acts. Adequate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms should be established to ensure compliance with these protections.
By tackling these challenges, German states can contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious society that protects and respects the rights of their diverse faith communities.
