Germany To Ban Scientology

In 2007, the German interior minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, announced plans to try and ban the religion of Scientology in Germany calling it "an unconstitutional organization".¹

Fast Facts

1. All 16 states supported the proposal²
2. Estimated 6,000 Scientologists in Germany³
3. Scientology founded in 1954, arrived in Germany in 1970⁴
4. Church has been under surveillance by German domestic intelligence agencies since the 1990s⁴
5. 2002: Researchers in Bavaria find "indications" that Scientology may violate German law⁵

2007 Timeline

• June 3, 2007: Tom Cruise prohibited from filming in Germany due to his affiliation with Scientology⁶
• December 3: The state of Hamburg's Secretary of the Interior, Udo Nagle announced he would propose a ban on Scientology to the federal government⁷
• December 7: Federal and state interior ministers agree to propose ban in meeting in Berlin⁵
• December 10: Domestic intelligence agencies respond that there is not enough evidence for a ban⁸

Quotes

"Germany's federal and state interior ministers have declared the Church of Scientology unconstitutional, clearing the way for a possible ban."—BBC News¹

"Fundamental basic and human rights like the dignity of man or the right to equal treatment are restricted or abrogated. It rejects the democratic system."—Wolgang Schaeuble, describing Scientology⁸

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