Military guard unit suspended over sexual abuse allegations, right-wing extremist incidents - spox

У вашего броузера проблема в совместимости с HTML5

German servicemen from the country’s military’s honour guard battalion have been suspended following an investigation into alleged initiation rituals, suspected sexual abuse and right-wing extremist incidents, the German Defence Ministry spokesperson said on Friday during a tri-weekly government press conference in Berlin.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Collatz stressed that the ministry has “zero tolerance” for such incidents and added that “these incidents deeply shame all of us soldiers”.

The foreign ministry spokesperson also commented on the court decision of the Polish Constitutional Court that defies EU law treaties. “We have taken note of yesterday’s decision of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal. We cannot comment here on the details of this decision also because the decision has not yet been officially announced.”

“At the same time, I would like to underline that our position is very clear: a uniform application of European law is indispensable. There is no doubt that EU law applies to all EU Member States. The EU treaties have been signed and ratified and all member states remain committed to complying with them,” he added.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Arne Collatz, Defence Ministry’s spokesperson (German): “Once again it’s about abnormal drinking and admission rituals, it’s about sexual violence and abuse, it’s about right-wing extremist incidents and that, of course, worries us. We are investigating these cases with the utmost severity and I can also inform you of the first consequences​. About individual cases, it is always difficult to go public with something, also for legal reasons​, but I can say that a unity that has become particularly conspicuous here, has been removed from the protocol service, i.e. will not be used in the protocol service at events until further notice, until a final clarification has come about beforehand.​ And of course, also supervisors, who are investigated for culpable behaviour will be relieved of their function​ for the moment.”

SOT, Arne Collatz, Defence Ministry’s spokesperson (German): “These incidents I’m informing you about, embarrass us all deeply. This is for us soldiers - including me as a uniformed person in the Bundeswehr​ - difficult to bear that there are again and in some associations also frequent incidents of this kind and again in right-wing extremist contexts​. Whoever comes to the attention for right-wing extremism or for acts of violence, who does not respect the dignity of his counterpart, who sows hatred not only damages the reputation of the Bundeswehr - and that is bad enough - but the effects of such behaviours go much deeper.​This always means a split in the community in the Bundeswehr, as is to be seen in society with such behaviour.​”

SOT, Arne Collatz, Defense Ministry’s spokesperson (German): “It is important to me to make it clear that we have a zero-tolerance policy. ​And this is not just about preserving the reputation of the Bundeswehr but, as I have made clear, especially the cohesion and functionality of the Bundeswehr.​”​

SOT, Christofer Burger, Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson (German): “The Foreign Minister said: ‘If a country politically decides to be part of the EU, it must also ensure that the agreed rules are fully implemented​. Being a member of the European Union means that we share values, benefit from a strong common internal market and speak with one voice.​’ It also means that we adhere to common rules that form the foundation of the European Union, with all the consequences​. The Commission has our full support for its task of enforcing European law across the EU.​’”

SOT, Christofer Burger, Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson (German): “We have taken note of yesterday’s decision​ of the Polish constitutional tribunal. We cannot comment here on details of this decision also because the decision wasn’t yet officially announced. At the same time I want to emphasise that​ our position is very clear: a uniform application of European law is indispensable. There is no doubt that EU law applies to all EU member states. The EU treaties have been signed and ratified and all member states are still committed to abide by them.”

#GermanArmy #Germany #Bundespressekonferenz

Video ID: 20211008-031

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20211008-031
Contact: [email protected]

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Ruptly
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ruptly