alexandra karch

8/19/2019 Alexandra Karch

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Alexandra Karch

Katareistentie 1 B 49

20740 Turku

Student number: 8571505 12 200!

“The Domestic Status of the ICCPR

in Germany”

Specialization Seminar in Human Rights: The

"#$enant #n "i$il and %#litical &i'hts(Trend and

)e$el#*ments

%r#+ess#r ,artin Scheinin

-all 200!

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Table of Contents

The Domestic Status of the ICCPR in Germany 2

. .ntr#ducti#n 2

.. The im*lementati#n #+ the .""%& in the /erman le'al #rder 2

1 The relati#n bet een the /erman le'al #rder and internati#nal la 2

1 1 The /erman c#nstituti#n and internati#nal la 2

1 2 The relati#n bet een internati#nal la and nati#nal la in 'eneral

1 2 1 The#ries

1 2 2 /erman 4

1 The .""%& 4

2 The c#nnecti#n bet een internati#nal and nati#nal la 4

2 1 The Human Rights Committee 3s re uirements +#r the

im*lementati#n #+ the .""%& in the member states 5

2 2 /eneral The#ries !

2 /erman !

2 4 The .""%& !

/erman as a state *art t# the International Co enant on Ci il an!

Political Rights 8

1 )eclarati#ns and &eser$ati#ns 8

2 /erman s +i+th re*#rt under Article 40 #+ the .""%& 9

2 1 The re*#rt 9

2 2 "#ncludin' #bser$ati#ns #+ the Human Rights Committee 11

2 "#mments b the /#$ernment #+ /erman t# the

"#ncludin' bser$ati#ns #+ the Human Rights Committee 1 The im*lementati#n #+ certain *r#$isi#ns #+ theCo enant 1

1 Article 1 1

2 Article 15

Article 7 1!

ΙΙΙ "#nclusi#n 19

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Bibliography 20

The Domestic Status of the ICCPR in Germany

. Intro uction

The International Co enant on Ci il an! Political Rights 6.""%& hich as ad#*ted and

#*ened +#r si'nature rati+icati#n and accessi#n b the /eneral Assembl res#luti#n 2200A

6 Ι #n 19 12 19!! came int# +#rce #n 2 0 197!1 The ICCPR is because #+ its

extensi$e c#ntent #+ numer#us ri'hts #ne #+ the m#st im*#rtant instruments +#r the

uni$ersal human ri'hts *r#tecti#n and has 1!0 state *arties s# +ar

/erman rati+ied the ICCPR #n 17 12 1972 and in the +#ll# in' ears als# the t #

additi#nal *r#t#c#ls n 25 11 199 the +irst *ti#nal %r#t#c#l t# the International

Co enant on Ci il an! Political Rights 6""%&( %1 as rati+ied hile #n 18 11 1992

/erman had alread rati+ied the sec#nd *ti#nal %r#t#c#l t# the ICCPR 6""%&( %2(

)% aimed at the ab#liti#n #+ death *enalt

/erman as a state *art t# the "#$enant as there+#re #bli'ed t# 'i$e e++ect t# the

*r#$isi#ns #+ the ICCPR in its d#mestic #rder thus t# make sure that its la s and acti#ns

a'ree ith the "#$enant 4

The +#ll# in' text ill take a cl#ser l##k at the de$el#*ments since the rati+icati#n and

*resent state #+ the d#mestic status #+ the ICCPR in /erman

. The implementation of the ICCPR in the German legal or er

.nitiall the im*lementati#n #+ the ICCPR in /erman has t# be examined

1 The relati#nshi* bet een the /erman le'al #rder and internati#nal lahen re'ardin' the im*lementati#n #+ the ICCPR it has t# be clari+ied hat the

relati#nshi* is bet een the ICCPR as an internati#nal treat and the /erman le'al #rder

;xaminin' this s*eci+ic relati#nshi* the relati#n bet een internati#nal la and /erman

la in 'eneral has t# be #bser$ed

!.!. The German constitution an international la"

1 htt*:


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-irst #+ all it has t# be stated that theGrun!gesetz 6// the /erman c#nstituti#n has

#*ened the /erman le'al #rder +#r internati#nal c##*erati#n .n the #*ini#n #+ the

"un!es erfassungsgericht it directl aims at maintainin' and im*r#$in' /erman 3s r#le

as a *eace+ul and e ual *art #+ the internati#nal c#mmunit in securin' #rld ide *eace

and +reed#m5

This als# +inds its ex*ressi#n in the c#nstituti#n3s *reamble here it issti*ulated that /erman has ad#*ted the c#nstituti#n animated b the res#l$e t# ser$e

#rld *eace -urtherm#re *ursuant t# Article 24 61 // the -ederati#n is all# ed t#

trans+er s#$erei'n *# ers t# internati#nal instituti#ns and *ursuant t# Article 24 62 // it

is *#ssible t# =#in a s stem #+ internati#nal mutual c#llecti$e securit Article 24 6 //

determines the *#ssibilit #+ creatin' a s stem #+ internati#nal arbitrati#n ,#re#$er

Article 25 // sti*ulates the 'eneral rules #+ *ublic internati#nal la sh#uld +#rm a *art #+

nati#nal la directl a++ectin' the /erman inhabitants Article 2! // *r#hibits acti#ns thatc#uld disturb *eace+ul internati#nal relati#ns es*eciall a''ressi$e ar and limits the use

#+ ea*#ns in the situati#n #+ ar 62 The re*resentati#n #+ /erman in internati#nal

relati#ns is re'ulated in Articles 2 and 59 61 // Article 59 62 // ser$es as the 'eneral

rule +#r the trans+#rmati#n #+ internati#nal treaties int# nati#nal la -inall in Article 100

62 // the c#nstituti#n determines that i+ d#ubts exist ab#ut hether a rule #+ *ublic

internati#nal la +#rms a *art #+ nati#nal la and hether the rule directl creates ri'hts

and duties +#r the indi$idual the #e!eral Constitutional Court sh#uld be c#ns#lidated

.n c#nclusi#n it can be said that internati#nal c##*erati#n and internati#nal la ha$e

entered int# the /erman Grun!gesetz t# a br#ad extent

!.2. The relation bet"een international la" an national la" in general

># e$er the relati#nshi* bet een /erman la and internati#nal la is $er c#ntr#$ersial

.t is in uesti#n hether internati#nal la and nati#nal la ha$e t# be seen as *arts #+ a

uni+#rm le'al #rder #r c#ntrar t# that as t # le'al #rders hich are se*arated +r#m each

#ther

1.2.1. Theories

There are t # basic the#ries hich are acc#m*anied b a l#t #+ di++erent $ariati#ns in the

literature -irst #+ all the $onist Theory has t# be menti#ned This the#r assumes that

internati#nal la and nati#nal la are *art #+ the same sin'le le'al #rder! Acc#rdin' t# this

the#r the ICCPR and /erman nati#nal la ha$e t# be seen as *arts #+ the same le'al

s stem

5

B?er+/; ! ** 4 et se 6 70! ,alanc@uk Akehurst3s m#dern intr#ducti#n t# internati#nal la * !


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"#ntrar t# that the Dualist Theory states that b#th la s exist t#tall inde*endent +r#m

each #ther .nternati#nal la and nati#nal la are acc#rdin' t# this the#r t # se*arate

le'al #rders The sh#uld be distin'uished because #+ their di++erent s#urces the di++erent

relati#ns the c#$er and because #+ their substance #+ la7 -#ll# in' this the#r the

ICCPR and /erman nati#nal la must be treated as t # inde*endent le'al #rders 1.2.2. Germany

There is n# clear and #b$i#us s#luti#n +#r this discussi#n in /erman

Ab#$e all the /erman c#nstituti#n c#ntains n# ex*licit rulin' ab#ut h# t# de+ine the

relati#nshi* bet een /erman la and internati#nal la ># e$er Article 25 // hich

sti*ulates that the 'eneral rules #+ *ublic internati#nal la +#rm *art #+ the +ederal la

c#uld be inter*reted in a dualistic a The *r#$isi#n inc#r*#rates the 'eneral *rinci*les #+

internati#nal la int# nati#nal la treatin' them as a *art #+ a se*arate le'al #rder Besidesthis Article 100 62 // determines the *r#ceedin's hen it is unclear hether a re'ulati#n

#+ internati#nal la is *art #+ the +ederal la #r n#t This leads t# the c#nclusi#n that in

'eneral internati#nal la has t# be seen as an inde*endent le'al s stem Thus the /erman

c#nstituti#n #b$i#usl +#ll# s the dualistic idea that the relati#nshi* bet een internati#nal

la and nati#nal la is #ne #+ t # di++erent le'al #rders

-urtherm#re als# the decisi#ns #+ the /erman "#nstituti#nal "#urt +#ll# the dualist

the#r but in a m#derate a8 .n its decisi#n "%erfG& '( it re+ers t# the re uirements #+

b#th le'al #rders 9 and thr#u'h that t# internati#nal la and nati#nal la as t #

inde*endent le'al s stems ># e$er in the same decisi#n it states that this d#es n#t

exclude that c#n+licts bet een th#se t # le'al #rders can #ccur10 This +#ll# s the idea #+

$o!erate Dualism hich a'rees that internati#nal la and nati#nal la are t # di++erent

le'al s stems c#nsiderin' them as t # se*arate et #$erla**in' circles11

!.#. The ICCPR

.n c#nclusi#n the ICCPR and the /erman la are t# be c#nsidered as inde*endent +r#m

each #ther but in s#me cases #$erla**in' and c#n+lictin'

2 The c#nnecti#n bet een internati#nal and nati#nal la

7 Cauter*acht in: )ix#nemmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * !0

4


6/22


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their ri'hts are and that nati#nal auth#rities sh#uld be a are #+ their duties and

re'ulati#ns 20

2.2. General Theories

There are $ari#us the#ries ab#ut h# states can im*lement internati#nal la The m#st

im*#rtant #nes re'ardin' the im*lementati#n #+ internati#nal la in /erman are th#se #+ ad#*ti#n executi#n and trans+#rmati#n21

Acc#rdin' t# the Theory of )!option internati#nal la is made a**licable b inte'ratin' it

int# the nati#nal le'al #rder ith#ut chan'in' its character as internati#nal la 22 hen

internati#nal la bec#mes bindin' u*#n the member states it is acc#rdin' t# this the#r

aut#maticall ad#*ted in the nati#nal le'al #rder 2 ># e$er the uesti#n #+ hich

*#siti#n the internati#nal la has in the d#mestic le'al #rder is n#t ans ered b this the#r

at all -#ll# in' this the ICCPR #uld be ad#*ted in the /erman d#mestic le'al s stemhile still ha$in' the status #+ internati#nal la

The Theory of &*ecution +#ll# s in its c#nclusi#n theTheory of )!option b sa in' that

internati#nal la is inte'rated in the d#mestic le'al #rder ith#ut l#sin' its character as

internati#nal la .t '#es +urther b demandin' a s*ecial #rder #+ executi#n +#r each

se*arate internati#nal treat 24 This means that the a**licabilit #+ the ICCPR as

internati#nal la in the nati#nal le'al s stem #uld de*end #n an intrastate #rder #+

executi#n

T# the c#ntrar theTheory of Transformation demands an act #+ trans+#rmati#n a le'al

acti#n hich makes internati#nal la c#n$ert int# nati#nal la25 This ha**ens either

thr#u'h a 'eneral trans+#rmati#n #+ all bindin' internati#nal treaties #r thr#u'h the

trans+#rmati#n #+ s*eci+ic internati#nal la2! The trans+erred la is then al a s a**lied

ithin the nati#nal la s stem The ICCPR #uld acc#rdin' t# this the#r be made

a**licable b an act #+ trans+#rmati#n int# nati#nal la either aut#maticall #r thr#u'h a

s*eci+ic acti#n

2.#. Germany

20 /eneral "#mment *ara'ra*h 221 ,alanc@uk Akehurst3s m#dern intr#ducti#n t# internati#nal la * !4 >emmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * !022 >emmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * !0 >eint@en ,arkus:htt*:


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The /erman "un!es erfassungsgericht d#es n#t sh# an uni+#rm #*ini#n #n this

discussi#n s# +ar27 and als# the /erman c#nstituti#n has n# ex*licit re'ulati#n ab#ut h#

internati#nal la has t# be im*lemented .n 'eneral Article 25 // is seen as a extensi$e

trans+#rmer +#r 'eneral rules and *rinci*les #+ *ublic internati#nal la28 -urtherm#re

Article 59 62 // sti*ulates that treaties hich re'ulate the *#litical relati#ns #+ the-ederati#n #r relate t# matters #+ -ederal le'islati#n re uire the c#nsent #r *artici*ati#n

in the +#rm #+ a +ederal la #+ the b#dies c#m*etent in an s*eci+ic case +#r such -ederal

le'islati#n This is idel seen as a basis +#r a *articular trans+#rmati#n29 .n /erman an

act #+ *arliament is re uired t# c#n$ert internati#nal treaties int# nati#nal la This leads t#

the c#nse uence that in the situati#n #+ c#n+lictin' *r#$isi#ns the /erman c#nstituti#n has

*ri#rit because the trans+#rmed internati#nal treat has the *#siti#n #+ +ederal la and

is there+#re subsidiar 2.'. The ICCPR

-#ll# in' this the International Co enant on Ci il an! Political Rights as c#n$erted

int# /erman +ederal la b a +#rmal statute *ursuant t# Article 59 62 //

The ICCPR is there+#re directl a**licable in /erman and bindin' +#r all b#dies #+ the

/erman '#$ernment 0 and there+#re all *e#*le li$in' in the -ederal &e*ublic are able t#

in$#ke their ri'hts 'uaranteed b theCo enant directl in +r#nt #+ a nati#nal c#urt The

+ederal '#$ernment als# #rks #n its *#siti$e #bli'ati#ns b *r#$idin' certain acti#ns t#

ensure and stren'then human ri'hts 6see .. 2 and als# t# in+#rm the indi$idual ab#ut his

ri'hts This is made *#ssible b makin' the #rdin' #+ theCo enant accessible +#r all

/ermans .n 197 as like e$er statute it as *rinted in the #e!eral +a, Gazette 6197

%art .. * 155 Additi#nall in+#rmati#n(br#chures ere *ublished b the '#$ernment as

ell as a b##k named Human Rights hich c#ntains theCo enant and its t # *ti#nal

%r#t#c#ls ,#re#$er there is an #++icial eb*a'e1 hich h#uses the m#st im*#rtant texts

#n human ri'hts *r#tecti#n 2

27 B?er+/; 1 ** 9! et se 6411 G 75 ** 22 et se 624428 >emmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * !2 ,arkus >eint@en:htt*:


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/erman as a state *art t# the .nternati#nal "#$enant #n "i$il and %#litical

&i'hts/erman si'ned the ICCPR #n 09 10 19!8 and rati+ied it #n 17 12 197 This means that

/erman is an #++icial state *art t# theCo enant and because #+ that is #bli'ed t# 'i$e

+#rmal rec#'niti#n and a**licabilit t# all #+ its *r#$isi#ns #.!. Declarations an Reser(ations># e$er states hich bec#me *art #+ the ICCPR can make reser$ati#ns t# *articular

articles #+ theCo enant %ursuant t# Article 2 61 6d #+ the%ienna Con ention on the +a,

of Treaties a reser$ati#n is a unilateral statement h# e$er *hrased #r named made b a

State hen si'nin' rati+ in' acce*tin' a**r#$in' #r accedin' t# a treat hereb it

*ur*#rts t# exclude #r t# m#di+ the le'al e++ect #+ certain *r#$isi#ns #+ the treat in their

a**licati#n t# that State ># e$er *ursuant t# Article 19 #+ the%ienna Con ention on the +a, of Treaties this is #nl *#ssible unless it is +#rbidden b the treat itsel+ #r c#ntrar t#

the #b=ect and *ur*#se #+ the treat Th#se reser$ati#ns can be made in the si'nin' *r#cess

and at the latest hen rati+ in' the treat This *#ssibilit +#r the member states has the

intenti#n t# limit the de'ree t# hich the ha$e t# ensure certain *r#$isi#ns and thr#u'h

that t# enc#ura'e states t# rati+ internati#nal treaties e$en i+ the ha$e d#ubts ab#ut

bein' et in a *#siti#n t# +ull 'uarantee a *articular ri'ht #r =ust disa'ree ith certain

re'ulati#ns4

.t is im*#rtant t# distin'uish bet een reser$ati#ns and sim*le inter*retati#ns Thr#u'h the

latter a state clari+ies in hich a it inter*rets certain *r#$isi#ns in acc#rdance ith the

'eneral rules #+ inter*retati#n *ursuant t# Articles 1 et se #+ the%ienna Con ention on

the +a, of Treaties- 5

hen rati+ in' the Co enant /erman made declarati#ns and reser$ati#ns #n Articles 14

6 6d 14 65 15 61 19 21 22 and 2 61 #+ the ICCPR !

-irst #+ all Articles 19 21 and 22 in c#nnecti#n ith Article 2 61 #+ theCo enant shall be

a**lied ithin the sc#*e #+ Article 1! #+ the &uropean Con ention of Human Rights 7 This

means that n#thin' in th#se articles c#ncernin' the +reed#ms #+ s*eech and #+ ex*ressi#n

the ri'ht #+ *eace+ul assembl the +reed#m #+ ass#ciati#n ith #thers and the #rder #+

>emmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * 194 >emmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * 195 >emmer< uest ?Dlkerrecht * 19!htt*:


10/22

res*ectin' and ensurin' th#se ri'hts t# e$er b#d ith#ut an distincti#n #n the basis #+

the listed 'r#unds sh#uld *re$ent /erman +r#m restrictin' the *#litical acti$ities #+

aliens

-urtherm#re Article 14 6 6d #+ theCo enant hich #rders that a *ers#n h# is under

*r#secuti#n +#r a criminal char'e must ha$e the ri'ht t# be tried in his #r her *resenceshall be a**lied in such a a that the c#urt #+ re$ie Re isionsgericht shall decide

hether an accused *ers#n held in cust#d has t# a**ear in *ers#n at the hearin'8

.n Article 14 65 #+ the ICCPR it is determined that e$er *ers#n that has been c#n$icted

#+ a crime shall ha$e the ri'ht #+ ha$in' the c#n$icti#n and the sentence re$ie ed b a

hi'her c#urt /erman made reser$ati#ns #n this article as ell sa in' that a +urther

a**eal d#es n#t ha$e t# be 'ranted =ust because the de+endant has been ac uitted b a

l# er c#urt and in the +#ll# in' trial as c#n$icted +#r the +irst time b an a**ellatec#urt ,#re#$er in the case #+ min#r criminal #++ences the re$ie #+ a decisi#n b a

hi'her tribunal n#t im*#sin' im*ris#nment d#es n#t ha$e t# be admitted in e$er case9

-inall Article 15 61 thenulla poena sine lege *r#$isi#n #+ theCo enant. shall be

a**lied in such manner that hen *r#$isi#n is made b la +#r the im*#siti#n #+ a li'hter

*enalt the hithert# a**licable la ma +#r certain exce*ti#nal cate'#ries #+ cases remain

a**licable t# criminal #++ences c#mmitted be+#re the la as amended40

/erman made +urther reser$ati#ns #n Article 5 62 6a #+ the +irst *ti#nal %r#t#c#l

hich leads t# the restricti#n #+ the c#m*etence #+ the Human Rights Committee 41

#.2. Germany%s fifth report un er )rticle '0 of the ICCPR

)es*ite th#se declarati#ns and reser$ati#ns thr#u'h si'nin' and rati+ in' the ICCPR

/erman has the #bli'ati#n t# *r#$ide and 'uarantee a certain le$el #+ human ri'hts

*r#tecti#n This is su*er$ised b the Human Rights Committee c#nsiderin' the member

state3s *eri#dic re*#rts under Article 40 #+ the ICCPR

3.2.1. The report

/erman submitted its +i+th *eri#dic re*#rt in )ecember 2002 The declared that the

-ederal &e*ublic #+ /erman Ldesire6s t# c##*erate at nati#nal re'i#nal and

internati#nal le$el6s ith all '#$ernmental su*ra nati#nal and n#n('#$ernmental

8htt*:


11/22

#r'anisati#ns in #rder t# su**#rt the e++ecti$e *r#tecti#n and *r#m#ti#n #+ human ri'hts42

-urtherm#re the +#rmulated that basic and human ri'hts +#rm the c#re #+ the /erman

"#nstituti#n 4 This als# bec#mes $isible in Article 1 62 // here it is said the

/erman *e#*leLackn# led'e in$i#lable and inalienable ri'hts as the basis #+ e$er

c#mmunit #+ *eace and #+ =ustice in the #rld Actuall theGrun!gesetz c#ntains a br#ad catal#'ue #+ human ri'hts as the a**ear in theCo enant ;xam*les include the

+reed#m #+ ex*ressi#n 6Article 5 // the +reed#m #+ assembl 6Article 8 and the

*rinci*le #+ e ualit 6Article // .n Article 1 61 // the in$i#labilit #+ the di'nit #+

man is determined +#ll# in' hereb Article 1 #+ the/ni ersal Declaration of Human

Rights Me$ertheless /erman made a l#t #+ e++#rts in the last ears t# +urther increase

human ri'hts *r#tecti#n es*eciall b im*r#$in' their d#mestic t##ls The m#st im*#rtant

ste*s are listed in their +i+th re*#rt44

.n 1998 the /erman '#$ernment established an inde*endentCommission on Human

Rights hich su*er$ises the human ri'hts *r#tecti#n in /erman and als# in #ther

c#untries .n additi#n the0ffice of the Commissioner for Human Rights an!

Humanitarian )i! as created at the #oreign 0ffice su**#rtin' theCommissioner for

Human Rights Issues at the #e!eral $inistry The dial#'ue bet een the +ederal

'#$ernment and the *arliament is 'uaranteed since 2002 thr#u'h the /erman '#$ernment

submittin' a re*#rt e$er t # ears re'ardin' the internal human ri'hts situati#n t# their

*arliamentar #r'an n 08 0 2001 the 1ational Human Rights Institute as +inall

established as a ci$il s#ciet establishment t#tall inde*endent +r#m the /erman

'#$ernment .ts task is t# *r#$ide in+#rmati#n educati#n and d#cumentati#n as ell as t#

*r#m#te *ublic discussi#n and a areness ,#re#$er it sh#uld 'uarantee and su*er$ise the

dial#'ue bet een '#$ernment and n#n('#$ernmental #r'anisati#ns and act as a neutral

mediat#r bet een them

,an measures t# ards the im*r#$ement #+ human ri'hts *r#tecti#n ere established in

the last ears as +#r exam*le im*r#$ements #+ human ri'hts educati#n45 and children3s

ri'hts and *r#tecti#n 4! Me$ertheless the em*hasis in /erman still lies #n the +i'ht a'ainst

xen#*h#bia anti(Semitism and ri'ht( in' radicalism .n reacti#n the )lliance for

Democracy an! Tolerance as +#unded in ,a 2000 unitin' m#re than 900 'r#u*s and

indi$iduals42 ""%&


12/22

># e$er /erman 3s #rk #n human ri'hts d#es n#t st#* ithin its # n b#rders n the

;ur#*ean le$el /erman 3s membershi* in the &uropean /nion and in the Council of

&urope has t# be hi'hli'hted n the internati#nal le$el /erman has sub=ected itsel+ t#

the c#mmunicati#n *r#cedures in acc#rdance ith the/1 Con ention on the &limination

of all #orms of Racial Discrimination +r#m 07 0 19!! and in acc#rdance ith Articles 21and 22 #+ the/1 Con ention against Torture an! other Cruel. Inhuman or Degra!ing

Treatment or Punishment -inall /erman sub=ected itsel+ t# the *r#ceedin's #+ Article

41 #+ the "#$enant +#r the +irst time ith#ut an time limitati#ns and rati+ied in Nanuar

2002 the *ti#nal %r#t#c#l t# theCon ention on the &limination of )ll #orms of

Discrimination against 2omen 6";)A hereb rec#'nisin' its c#mmunicati#n and

in uir *r#cedure

3.2.2. Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committeen its 2170th and 2171st meetin's #n 17 0 2004 the Human Rights Committee

c#nsidered the state re*#rt #+ /erman As a result the made their c#ncludin'

#bser$ati#ns at their 2188th meetin' #n 0 0 200547

n #ne side the Human Rights Committee accentuates the #n'#in' *#siti$e r#le #+

/erman in human ri'hts *r#tecti#n *r#'ress and the laudable measures taken t# im*r#$e

the *r#tecti#n and *r#m#ti#n #+ +undamental ri'hts -urtherm#re it a**reciates the #rk

#+ the German Constitutional Court hich made a 'reat c#ntributi#n t# ards the

*r#tecti#n and stren'thenin' #+ human ri'hts and +inall it elc#mes /erman 3s

unambi'u#us re+usal #+ t#rture

"#n$ersel the c#ncludin' #bser$ati#ns c#ntain the Human Rights Committee 3s c#ncerns

ab#ut certain situati#ns in the /erman -ederal &e*ublic .n *ara'ra*h 10 #+ the d#cument

it is said /erman sh#uld think ab#ut ithdra in' their reser$ati#ns #n theCo enant as

ell as #n the 0ptional Protocol TheCommittee is hereb es*eciall c#ncerned ab#ut

Article 15 61 as a n#n(der#'able ri'ht48

An#ther matter #+ c#ncern is the a**licabilit #+ theCo enant t# indi$iduals sub=ect t#

/erman 3s =urisdicti#n hen tr##*s #r #ther +#rces are actin' #utside #+ the /erman

b#rders The -ederal &e*ublic has n#t 'i$en a statement t# that theme s# +ar and the

Committee there+#re ants t# +urther accentuate that the a**licabilit #+ internati#nal

humanitarian la d#es n#t exclude the a**licabilit #+ the ICCPR and b that the

res*#nsibilit #+ the member states under theCo enant %ara'ra*h 2 +urther asks

47

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13/22

/erman t# clari+ its *#siti#n -urtherm#re it is ished that the 'i$e s*eci+ic trainin' t#

their securit +#rces +#r internati#nal missi#ns in the *r#$isi#ns #+ theCo enant

As a result #+ /erman 3s +ederal structure acc#rdin' t# theCommittee there is a risk that

acts hich c#me int# +#rce ill n#t a'ree ith the *resentCo enant The +ederal

'#$ernment is *ursuant t# Article 50 'enerall res*#nsible +#r the c#m*liance #+ d#mesticacts ith the ICCPR and has there+#re t# ensure that als# th#se acts that +all in the

exclusi$e c#m*etence #+ the +3n!er are c#rres*#ndin' ith the Co enant

-urtherm#re theCommittee critici@es that there are still t## +e #men in seni#r *#siti#ns

in the *ublic ser$ice des*ite the *r#'ress made in the *r#tecti#n #+ #men3s ri'hts in the

last ears Als# in the *ri$ate area there is still t## much #+ a dis*arit bet een the a'es

#+ men and #men Articles and 2! must be res*ected and there+#re the ex*ect

/erman t# take +urther necessar ste*s,#re#$er t# 'uarantee the ri'hts sti*ulated in Articles and 7 /erman is rec#mmended

t# im*r#$e and stren'then their *#lic a'ainst d#mestic $i#lence

.n *ara'ra*h 15 the Human Rights Committee menti#ns its c#ncern ab#ut a $i#lati#n #+

Article ! the ri'ht #+ li+e thr#u'h the use #+ +irearms b the /erman *#lice ;$en th#u'h

the *#lice ha$e shar* restricti#ns and the number #+ *ers#ns killed #r in=ured as a result #+

*#lice use #+ +#rce has declined in recent ears theCommittee still +ears that the use #+

+irearms c#uld n#t al a s be =usti+ied and because #+ that $i#latin' Article ! #+ the

Co enant -#r that reas#n /erman is asked t# ensure *r#m*t th#r#u'h and im*artial

in$esti'ati#n #+ all cases #+ *ers#n killed #r in=ured as a c#nse uence #+ the use #+ +irearms

b *#lice +#rces brin' t# =ustice th#se res*#nsible +#r $i#lati#ns #+ the la and 'rant +ull

re*arati#n includin' +air and ade uate c#m*ensati#n and rehabilitati#n t# $ictims and

their +amilies 49

/erman sh#uld als# im*r#$e their m#nit#rin' #+ and measures c#ncernin' the ill(

treatment #+ *e#*le b *#lice #++icers in #rder t# a$#id a breach #+ Article 7 #+ the ICCPR

The Human Rights Committee +urther criticises the #+ten *##r and inhumane c#nditi#n #+

elderl *ers#ns in l#n'(term care h#mes in /erman in re'ards t# Article 7 Additi#nall

Article 8 #+ theCo enant c#uld be $i#lated b the *ersistin' *r#blem #+ tra++ickin' #+

human bein's in *articular #men in /erman

Acc#rdin' t# *ara'ra*h 19 the -ederal &e*ublic c#uld be in breach #+ Articles 18 and 25

49 ""%&


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15/22

6and that b $irtue #+ that ri'ht the +reel determine their *#litical status and +reel

*ursue their ec#n#mic s#cial and cultural de$el#*ment .n its +i+th and als# in the +#urth

re*#rt #+ 199 /erman *laces s*ecial em*hasis #n the ri'ht #+ sel+(determinati#n hich

is n# *r#$ided b the /erman "#nstituti#n 52 Be+#re the reuni+icati#n #+ the +#rmer

/erman )em#cratic &e*ublic and the -ederal &e*ublic #+ /erman in ct#ber 1990durin' the time #+ "#ld ar and 'l#bal ;ast( est c#n+r#ntati#n the ri'ht #+ sel+(

determinati#n as n#t su++icientl 'uaranteed .n the /erman )em#cratic &e*ublic hich

had established a ,arxist(Ceninist dictat#rshi* led b theSocialist /nity Party +#r #$er

40 ears *e#*le ere n#t all# ed t# +reel decide their *#litical ass#ciati#n n#r their

s#cial cultural #r ec#n#mic situati#n B uni+ in' the t # se*arated *arts #+ /erman

establishin' the -ederal &e*ublic #+ /erman the /ermanGrun!gesetz became a**licable

ithin the entire uni+ied territ#r Thr#u'h that *r#'ress res*ect +#r the ri'hts set #ut in the"#$enant had been extended t# the ne l c#nnected *arts .t established a +ree dem#cratic

#rder *r#$idin' the ri'ht #+ sel+(determinati#n t# all *e#*le in /erman Se$eral articles

n# ensure the /erman *e#*le3s ri'ht t# +reel *ursue their ec#n#mic s#cial and cultural

de$el#*ment -#r exam*le in Article 12 // the ri'ht t# ch##se an #ccu*ati#n is

'uaranteed and m#re im*#rtantl thr#u'h Article 2 61 // e$er #ne has the ri'ht t# the

+ree de$el#*ment #+ his *ers#nalit ins#+ar as he d#es n#t $i#late the ri'hts #+ #thers #r

#++end a'ainst the c#nstituti#nal #rder #r the m#ral c#de The m#st im*#rtant *r#$isi#n

hich c#ncerns *#litical sel+(determinati#n is Article 25 hich 'i$es the *# er #+

*#litical in+luence t# the indi$idual .t sa s:

;$er citi@en shall ha$e the ri'ht and the #**#rtunit ith#ut an #+ the distincti#ns

menti#ned in Article 2 and ith#ut unreas#nable restricti#ns:

6a T# take *art in the c#nduct #+ *ublic a++airs directl #r thr#u'h +reel ch#sen

re*resentati$esG

6b T# $#te and t# be elected at 'enuine *eri#dic electi#ns hich shall be b uni$ersal and

e ual su++ra'e and shall be held b secret ball#t 'uaranteein' the +ree ex*ressi#n #+ the

ill #+ the elect#rsG

6c T# ha$e access #n 'eneral terms #+ e ualit t# *ublic ser$ice in his c#untr

This is reali@ed in *articular ithin the *rinci*les #+ dem#crac and s#$erei'nt #+ the

*e#*le 'uaranteed under Article 20 // -urtherm#re thr#u'h Article 28 // re+errin' t#

52 ""%&


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the re uirements #+ electi#ns in the s#(called +3n!er and thr#u'h Article 8 //

c#ncernin' the electi#ns t# the /erman %arliament Article 25 is im*lemented5

The ri'ht #+ sel+(determinati#n #+ Article 1 is there+#re su++icientl 'uaranteed b the

/erman c#nstituti#n

3.3.2. rticle 3Article #+ the ICCPR #bli'ates the member states t# ensure the e ual ri'ht #+ men and

#men t# the en=# ment #+ all ci$il and *#litical ri'hts set +#rth in the *resent "#$enant

.n its +i+th re*#rt /erman em*hasi@ed that the +ederal '#$ernment is in an #n'#in'

*r#cess #+ rec#'ni@in' #men3s ri'hts as human ri'hts54 .n +act the stren'thenin' #+

#men3s ri'hts is #ne #+ the ma=#r themes in /erman *#lic

.n the /erman c#nstituti#n the *rinci*le #+ e ualit enters in Article and acc#rdin' t#

Article 62 // men and #men shall be e ual be+#re the la .n ct#ber 199455

Article as amended ith the intenti#n t# 'i$e the *rinci*le #+ e ualit #+ men and #men m#re

e++ect in realit The sentence the state shall *r#m#te the actual im*lementati#n #+ e ual

ri'hts +#r #men and men and take ste*s t# eliminate disad$anta'es that n# exist as

added This as t# launch at -ederal Cand and l#cal le$el a *r#*er *r#m#ti#n *#lic in

#rder t# achie$e e++ecti$e e ual ri'hts bet een the 'enders5!

.n 2000 Article 12a *ara'ra*h 4 2nd sentence // as re ritten t# 'i$e /erman #men

the *#ssibilit t# 'et access t# all careers ithin the armed +#rces57 This rem#$ed the

+#rmer discriminati$e di++erentiati#n bet een men and #men hich +#rmerl all# ed

#men t# #nl #rk as medical c#r*s #r in the militar music ser$ice

There as als# a *r#'ress in /erman 3s e ualit *#lic +#cusin' es*eciall #n the

c#ntinuall insu++icient situati#n #+ #men in the lab#ur market .n Nune 199958 the

2omen an! 2or4 *r#'ramme as ad#*ted in the +ederal '#$ernment +#cusin' #n the

intr#ducti#n #+ this theme int# all areas #+ *#lic kn# n as s#(called 'ender

mainstreamin' 59 This as a ste* t# ards m#re e++ecti$e #rk #n #men3s ri'hts The

*r#'ramme aims at the im*r#$ement #+ trainin' and #rk situati#ns the ab#lishment #+

di++erent a'es and inc#mes +#r men and #men the rem#$in' #+ barriers +#r #men

startin' their # n businesses and +inall t# hel* #men unite their +amilies and their =#bs

5 ""%&


17/22

makin' this situati#n m#re attracti$e +#r them As a c#nse uence /erman 3s statut#r

+rame #rk as im*r#$ed b ada*tin' educati#nal assistance bene+its and *arental lea$e

+r#m 2001 #n ards!0

-urtherm#re in Nanuar 2001 the )ct on Part5Time 2or4ing an! #i*e!5Term &mployment

Contracts came int# +#rce!1

B im*r#$in' and stren'thenin' *art(time #rk a ma=#r ste*t# ards rec#nciliati#n #+ +amil and 'ain+ul #rk!2 as acc#m*lished

.n Nul 2001 the )greement to Promote &6ual 0pportunities in Pri ate In!ustry as

si'ned bet een the /erman '#$ernment and the *ri$ate industr ! .n )ecember 2001 !4

the #e!eral &6uality )ct for the #e!eral )!ministration an! the Courts of the #e!eration

came int# +#rce intr#ducin' the *rinci*le #+ e ualit +#r men and #men als# in the

-ederati#n3s *ublic ser$ice ,#re#$er thr#u'h the re+#rm #+ the2or4s Constitution )ct in

Nul 2002 it c#ntains n# a lar'e number #+ re'ulati#ns hich su**#rt the im*r#$ement #+ #men3s *#siti#ns in the lab#ur market!5

n the internati#nal le$el it is #rth menti#nin' /erman 3s ad#*ti#n #+ the/nite!

1ations Con ention on the &limination of )ll #orms of Discrimination against 2omen

6";)A in 1985 !! and its *ti#nal %r#t#c#l in 2002!7 as ell as their acti$e #rk in the

c#ntext #+C&D)2

3.3.3. rticle !

The prohibition of torture and other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment

%ursuant t# Article 7 sentence 1 #+ the ICCPR n# *ers#n shall be sub=ected t# t#rture and

#ther cruel inhumane #r de'radin' treatment #r *unishment -#ll# in' this *r#$isi#n #+

the Co enant t#rture is abs#lutel *r#hibited in /erman .t is a $i#lati#n #+ the /erman

"#nstituti#n namel #+ Article 1 61 // that c#mmits all state auth#rit t# res*ect and

*r#tect the in$i#lable di'nit #+ man and #+ Article 2 62 // that 'uarantees the ri'ht t#

li+e and t# in$i#labilit #+ *ers#n t# e$er b#d .n Article 104 *ara'ra*h 1 2nd sentence

// the basic la es*eciall re'ulates this *r#hibiti#n +#r detained *ers#ns as bein' in an

e$en m#re $ulnerable and hel*less situati#n t# the state auth#rit Acc#rdin'l detected

*ers#ns ma be sub=ected neither t# mental n#r t# *h sical ill(treatment .n additi#n there

are numer#us sa+e'uardin' *r#$isi#ns in the /erman *r#cedural la c#ncernin' the

!0 ""%&


18/22

treatment #+ detainees!8

-urtherm#re an +#rm #+ t#rture is *r#hibited b the /erman "riminal "#de the

Strafgesetz7uch 6St/B *lacin' +#r exam*le b#dil harm 6Secti#ns 22 et se St/B

the de*ri$ati#n #+ libert 6Secti#n 2 9 St/B c#erci#n 6Secti#n 240 St/B and threat

6Secti#n 241 St/B under *unishment Secti#n 40 St/B ex*licitl addresses #++ice(h#lders *r#hibitin' an acti#n in the exercise #+ their #++ice that *h sicall abuses a

*ers#n .n additi#n Secti#n 4 St/B *laces the exh#rtin' #+ testim#n under duress b

#++ice(h#lders under *unishment n 01 04 1998 theSi*th )ct to Reform Criminal +a,

came int# +#rce *ursuin' the '#al t# 'i$e a hi'her status t# hi'hl *ers#nal ri'hts such as

the ri'hts #+ li+e *ers#nal inte'rit and +reed#m!9 The *r#$isi#ns +#r b#dil harm

*r#tecti#n ere im*r#$ed and stren'thened and the *ure attem*t is n# als# *unishable70

Secti#n 40 St/B as altered in the sense that the attem*t at b#dil harm in #++ice is n#a crime as ell and the *unishments +#r ma=#r crimes ere intensi+ied71

A $i#lati#n #+ Article 7 is als# seen in the extraditi#n #+ *ers#ns t# c#untries here it can

be ex*ected the #uld recei$e t#rture #r #ther inhumane treatment72 .n their +i+th re*#rt

/erman states that the *re$ent such an in+rin'ement #+ the ICCPR b Secti#n 5 #+ their

)liens )ct hich re'ulates in Subsecti#n 1 that a *ers#n can n#t be de*#rted t# a state in

hich there is a s*eci+ic risk #+ bein' t#rtured7 .n the case #+ the risk #+ c#nsiderable

dan'er t# li+e limb #r +reed#m Secti#n 5 6! #+ the )liens )ct and Secti#n !0 67 #+ the

Resi!ence )ct can *re$ent a de*#rtati#n "#m*liance ith Article 7 in this sense is

there+#re c#nse uentl secured

As alread menti#ned 6seeΙΙ 2 2 in c#nnecti#n ith Article 7 als# the *r#blem #+

elderl *ers#ns in l#n'(term care h#mes arises Acc#rdin' t# the Human Rights Committee

the situati#n #+ th#se indi$iduals in /erman is still unsatis+act#r and because Article 7

*r#hibits all +#rms #+ cruel inhuman #r #ther de'radin' treatment /erman c#uld as a

c#nse uence be in breach #+ the ICCPR

There are *r#$isi#ns in /erman t# *r#tect the ri'hts #+ the h#me residents Besides the

m#re 'eneral Criminal Co!e there is the Homes )ct hich as amended in 200274 and

aims t# *r#tect the di'nit interests and needs #+ h#me residents a'ainst *#ssible

!8 ""%&


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20/22

Pharmaceuticals )ct This deri$es +r#m the assum*ti#n that th#se indi$iduals are in such a

s*ecial situati#n that their actual +ree and rati#nal ill is in uesti#n80

. Conclusion

.n c#nclusi#n it can be said that the ICCPR has am#n'st #ther im*#rtant human ri'htstreaties a $er hi'h status in /erman Ab#$e all theCo enant is directl a**licable in

/erman and bindin' +#r all b#dies #+ the /erman '#$ernment but still subsidiar t# the

c#nstituti#n ;s*eciall since the reuni+icati#n #+ the +#rmer /erman )em#cratic &e*ublic

and the -ederal &e*ublic #+ /erman in ct#ber 1990 numer#us im*#rtant and e++ecti$e

measures ere taken t# im*r#$e the *r#tecti#n and *r#m#ti#n #+ human ri'hts .n

*articular b makin' the /erman c#nstituti#n a**licable in the h#le uni+ied territ#r

res*ect +#r the +undamental ri'hts set #ut in theCo enant had been extended t# the ne lc#nnected +3n!er and is there+#re n# 'uaranteed in all #+ /erman As alread

discussed 6seeΙΙ the ICCPR and c#nse uentl res*ect +#r human ri'hts ha$e +#und

entr int# ide *arts #+ the /erman c#nstituti#n The basic la includes essential human

ri'hts in the list #+ basic ri'hts -urtherm#re theGerman Constitutional Court *la s a

c#ntinuall lar'e r#le in *r#tectin' +undamental ri'hts thr#u'h its decisi#ns81 here it als#

re+ers directl t# theCo enant 3s *r#$isi#ns /erman 3s c#ncern ab#ut human ri'hts

bec#mes +urther #b$i#us hen c#nsiderin' its #n'#in' c##*erati#n ith the internati#nalc#mmunit es*eciall in the +ield #+ human ri'hts

As a ne'ati$e as*ect the maintenance #+ their reser$ati#ns #n the *r#$isi#ns #+ the ICCPR

as ell as t# the +irst *ti#nal %r#t#c#l ha$e t# be menti#ned Cimitin' the +ull e++ect #+

the Co enant in /erman as ell as the *# er #+ the Human Rights Committee /erman

still earns critics ,#re#$er des*ite all measures taken the situati#n in /erman remains

sh #+ bein' satis+act#r 6seeΙΙ 2 2 and and n#t all *r#$isi#ns #+ theCo enant

ha$e been c#m*letel im*lemented s# +arAs a result the -ederal &e*ublic is #bli'ated t# take +urther measures t# ensure and res*ect

human ri'hts in all +ields #+ their c#ncern ># e$er si'ni+icant *r#'ress has been

dem#nstrated

80

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Bibliography

*eb

(htt*:


22/22

( "#ncludin' #bser$ati#ns #+ the >uman &i'hts "#mmittee: /erman

6""%&

alexandra karch

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