statement

Munich, 31st October 2012

Regarding the verdict of 29^th October 2012 by the higher administrative court (OVG) of Rheinland Pfalz regarding the practice of “racial profiling” during police checks in Germany.

The Pan-Africanism Working Group expressly welcomes the verdict of 29^th October 2012 by the higher administrative court (OVG) of Rheinland Pfalz which declared identity checks based on skin colour as impermissible.

This decision shows that the verdict of 28th February by the administrative court of Koblenz, which allowed skin colour as a checking criterion by the Police and hence as lawful practice, ignores the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) and the UN Anti Racism Convention to which Germany is a signatory.

The gratifying verdict of 29^th October 2012 by the higher administrative court of Rheinland Pfalz is thanks to the courage of the plaintiff, the competence of his lawyer and the commitment of numerous organisations and initiatives such as the „Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland - ISD“ and the „Büro zur Umsetzung von Gleichbehandlung e.V. - BUG“ who implemented actions and generated public opinion pressure.

According to Uche Akpulu of the Pan-Africanism Working Group „Therewith is the task not yet done, because the reactions and comments of the national chairman of the German Police Union regarding the verdict shows clearly the dearth of knowledge and the urgent need for training with regards to racism on the part of the Police”.

The Pan-Africanism Working Group calls on the policy makers of the Federal Republic of Germany being a UN signatory to fulfil its obligations to the convention committee. Article 2 clearly stipulates the prohibition of racist actions and laws as well as preventing the dissemination of racist ideas by public agencies, groups or individuals to wit by all means available to a state.

Pan-Africanism Working Group

Augsburger Strasse 13

80337 München

Tel:089-416159959

Fax:089-762236

sekretariat@panafrikanismusforum.net