Germany

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Germany

RightSectionContents
Freedom of AssociationHistoryArticle 7 of the of the "Law Concerning the Basic Rights of the German People," from 27 December 1848, asserted freedom of association.

The right to free association for the German state was later asserted in the 11 August 1919 Constitution of the German Reich (The Weimar Constitution), ratified on August 11, 1919. The right can be found in Chapter II, Section II, Article 124. Article 124 states: "All the Germans have the right to form associations or societies for purposes not contrary to criminal law. This right may not be curtailed by preventive measures. The same provisions apply to religious associations and societies. Every association may become incorporated (Erwerb der Rechtsfähigkeit) according to the provisions of the civil law. The right may not be refused to any association on the grounds that its aims are political, social-politica! or religious."

References:

"IV. Fundamental Rights of the German People voted in by the National Assembly in Frankfurt.," IV. Droits Fondementaux du Peuple Allemand votes par l'Assemblee Nationale de Francfort. (1848): 213: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzde0172&id=1&collection=cow&index=

The Constitution of the German Reich / August 11, 1919 / Translation of Document 2050-PS / Office of U.S. Chief of Counsel. Courtesy of Cornell University Law Library, Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection.

https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/nur01840
Freedom of ExpressionHistoryArticle 4of the "Law Concerning the Basic Rights of the German People," from 27 December 1848, asserted freedom of expression.

Article 118 of the 11 August 1919 Constitution of the German Reich (The Weimar Constitution) guaranteed freedom of expression.

References:

"IV. Fundamental Rights of the German People voted in by the National Assembly in Frankfurt.," IV. Droits Fondementaux du Peuple Allemand votes par l'Assemblee Nationale de Francfort. (1848): 210-211: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzde0172&id=1&collection=cow&index=

The Constitution of the German Reich / August 11, 1919 / Translation of Document 2050-PS / Office of U.S. Chief of Counsel. Courtesy of Cornell University Law Library, Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection.

https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/nur01840
Freedom of ReligionHistoryArticle 18 of the 1818 Baden Constitution states: "Every resident of the country shall enjoy unhindered freedom of conscience and the same protection shall be provided in consideration for the way in which he worships God."

Article 5 of the "Law Concerning the Basic Rights of the German People," from 27 December 1848, asserted religious freedom.

Articles 135-137 of the 11 August 1919 Constitution of the German Reich (The Weimar Constitution) guarantee religious freedom. Article 135 guarantees free exercise, Article 136 denies the legality of linkage between religious belief or practice and civil or political rights, and Article 137 asserts the lack of a state church.

References:

1818 Baden Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Baden_1818

"IV. Fundamental Rights of the German People voted in by the National Assembly in Frankfurt.," IV. Droits Fondementaux du Peuple Allemand votes par l'Assemblee Nationale de Francfort. (1848): 211-212: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzde0172&id=1&collection=cow&index=

The Constitution of the German Reich / August 11, 1919 / Translation of Document 2050-PS / Office of U.S. Chief of Counsel. Courtesy of Cornell University Law Library, Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection.

https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/nur01840
Freedom of the PressHistoryArticle 4 of the "Law Concerning the Basic Rights of the German People," from 27 December 1848, asserted freedom of the press.

Article 118 of the 11 August 1919 Constitution of the German Reich (The Weimar Constitution) guarantees freedom of the press.

Article 5 of Germany’s 1949 Constitution protects press freedom: “Freedom of the press and freedom of reporting by means of broadcasts and films shall be guaranteed. There shall be no censorship” (Constitute Project, “Germany's Constitution of 1949 with Amendments through 2014” ).

References:

"IV. Fundamental Rights of the German People voted in by the National Assembly in Frankfurt.," IV. Droits Fondementaux du Peuple Allemand votes par l'Assemblee Nationale de Francfort. (1848): 210-211: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzde0172&id=1&collection=cow&index=

The Constitution of the German Reich / August 11, 1919 / Translation of Document 2050-PS / Office of U.S. Chief of Counsel. Courtesy of Cornell University Law Library, Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection. https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/nur01840

Germany 1949 Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014
Privacy RightsHistoryArticle 3, Sections 10-12 of the "Law Concerning the Basic Rights of the German People," from 27 December 1848, asserted some elements of privacy rights. Section 10 defended the inviolability of the home, Section 11 protected papers within the home, and Section 12 defended the secrecy of correspondence outside the context of criminal investigation or war.

Article 117 of the 11 August 1919 Constitution of the German Reich (The Weimar Constitution) guarantees privacy rights: "The secrecy of letters and all postal, telegraphic and telephone communications is inviolable. Exceptions are inadmissable except by Reich law."

Germany Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (The Bonn Constitution), passed in 1949, provides for privacy in a couple of places. Article 1(1) protects an individual’s dignity, and Article 10 protects privacy in correspondence and telecommunications. Article 13 protects the home.

References:

"IV. Fundamental Rights of the German People voted in by the National Assembly in Frankfurt.," IV. Droits Fondementaux du Peuple Allemand votes par l'Assemblee Nationale de Francfort. (1848): 210-211: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzde0172&id=1&collection=cow&index=

The Constitution of the German Reich / August 11, 1919 / Translation of Document 2050-PS / Office of U.S. Chief of Counsel. Courtesy of Cornell University Law Library, Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection. https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/nur01840

Germany Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany: "I: Basic Rights ," The Bonn Constitution; Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany (1949): 1-7: https://heinonline-org.proxygw.wrlc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzde0008&id=5&collection=cow&index=
Voting Rights and SuffrageHistoryIn Articles 17 and 22 of the 11 August 1919 Constitution of the German Reich (The Weimar Constitution) the franchise was extended to women and men of at least 20 years of age.

Under Article 37 of Germany’s 1949 constitution, every citizen over the age of 18 is allowed to vote in elections. Members of the German Bundestag are elected every four years via free, equal, direct, and secret elections (Constitute Project, “Germany’s Constitution of 1949 with Amendments through 2014” ).

References:

The Constitution of the German Reich / August 11, 1919 / Translation of Document 2050-PS / Office of U.S. Chief of Counsel. Courtesy of Cornell University Law Library, Donovan Nuremberg Trials Collection. https://digital.library.cornell.edu/catalog/nur01840

Germany 1949 Constitution: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/German_Federal_Republic_2014