The submission contends that contrary to its commitment to the ILO Convention, Germany, one of the ILO member countries, has “engaged in an officially encouraged pattern and practice of employment and occupation discrimination against German Scientologists simply because of their association and personal beliefs.”

In May 1995, German Minister of Labor Norbert Bluem authored an article that appeared in a national German publication advocating that private companies and schools join in a “war” against Scientology and “use all available means” to “unveil” members of the Church who might keep their religious belief to themselves.

Although criticized by scholars and experts, in November 1995 Bluem publicly called for a ban of all Scientologists from occupations which “interact with society,” including schools, the government and business companies.

The ILO, which has been closely identified with the promotion and protection of human rights, approved in 1995 the prevention of discrimination as one of its three primary fundamental human rights concerns and has repeatedly affirmed freedom of religion and conscience in its international agreements. Germany ratified the ILO Convention in 1961 and must submit an annual report demonstrating compliance with the accord.

“This Church has been fully recognized by the government of the United States, by the highest court in Australia and over 100 other court rulings, which have held it to be a religion. This modern ostracism and punishment for personally held beliefs and association by the German government is therefore particularly chilling,” said President of the Church of Scientology International, Reverend Heber C. Jentzsch.

Jentzsch also charged that the government campaign is really an attempt to deflect attention from Germany’s increasing socio-economic problems. “With all the good Scientology does every day in the lives of millions, it is clearly insane that anyone would attack Scientology, and this reveals they are driven by some other agenda,” said Jentzsch.