The German government’s newly appointed Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, Thomas Rachel (CDU), has voiced deep concern regarding the widespread discrimination faced by individuals globally based on their beliefs. According to statements made to the “Rheinische Post” approximately three-quarters of the world’s population reside in countries where their fundamental rights to freedom of religion and conscience are not protected.
Rachel emphasized the importance of prioritizing this issue, highlighting the significance of the role’s placement within the Foreign Office, signaling its integration into German foreign policy. He expressed concern over the frequent misuse of religion as a justification for discrimination, citing extremist groups like ISIS as a stark example, while clarifying that such organizations do not accurately represent the tenets of Islam.
The Envoy specifically addressed the alarming escalation of violence, drawing attention to attacks against Christian communities and conflicts between Sunni-Islamist Bedouins and Druze populations in Syria. He also condemned recent incidents in Taybeh, the last predominantly Christian village in the West Bank, where violent attacks and arson were perpetrated by Israeli settlers, stating that the situation demands thorough investigation, accountability for the perpetrators and preventative measures to curb further violence. Rachel cautioned that a failure to address such acts will have dire consequences.
