Press/news

We are very concerned about the deteriorating situation of the rule of law and human rights in Poland. In an open letter, the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association, together with other organizations, is therefore addressing the Federal Government to draw attention to this situation.

Women’s rights are being massively restricted in Poland: Following a ruling by the Polish Constitutional Court, abortions are de facto banned. The Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association reacts with horror to this new curtailment of human rights.

In February, the Federal Constitutional Court declared the ban on assisted suicide in Section 217 of the German Criminal Code to be unconstitutional and null and void. Under the initiative of Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn, work is now underway to amend Section 217 as a homicide offense. Contrary to the Karlsruhe ruling, the possibilities for assisted suicide are once again to be severely restricted – as already shown by the drafts of the experts he has invited. The Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association protests against this in an open letter to Spahn and criticizes the one-sided selection of his advisors.

In February, the Federal Constitutional Court confirmed a fundamental right to assisted suicide, which must also be guaranteed in practice. Without corresponding regulations, however, many desperate people seeking help continue to face almost insurmountable hurdles when it comes to making use of assisted suicide. In order to get constitutionally compliant initiatives off the ground politically, the Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association has proposed a “Suicide Assistance Conflict Law”. The draft has already been submitted to individual members of the Bundestag.

In Poland, the corona crisis is being exploited to further restrict fundamental rights such as women’s right to sexual and reproductive self-determination. The Humanist Association of Germany – Federal Association criticizes this in the strongest possible terms and calls for swift action by German and EU politicians.