Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Kingdom of Statsministeriet, Christiansborg Prins Jørgens Gård 11 1218 Copenhagen K

lutheranworld.org [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Geneva, 26 January 2021

Re: Protect freedom of religion and cohesion in Denmark

Your ,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), a communion of 148 member churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark.

With this letter, I want to express my concern about the ongoing discussions in Demark regarding a requirement for religious sermons to be translated into Danish.

Your proposed bill on sermons in other languages than Danish presents a particular challenge to faith communities in Denmark who conduct religious services in their native languages or languages that they find more appropriate for their outreach and ministry. This proposed legislation is contrary to specific provisions of the freedom of religion or belief, enshrined in international human rights law.

While the intention of the bill may be to promote greater transparency and accountability from religious communities, the ultimate effect is likely to contradict these objectives. Not only does this move risk enabling discrimination, prejudice and negative public sentiment against minority religions, it also imposes an extra financial and logistical burden on religious communities and their practice.

As a global communion of churches, the LWF has witnessed many cases where religious freedoms are infringed upon because of laws or practices in different countries. The net effect of these infringements has been detrimental for the affected religious communities and for societies at large. As a global communion, we know of several cases in which Lutheran churches in minority situations have been victims of such legislation. We are concerned that the proposed bill will encourage and further escalate the adoption of similar restrictive measures globally.

I believe that Denmark, as one of the world’s leading democracies, could set a good example for other countries across the world that are facing similar dilemma. We would see that as a unique opportunity to foster cohesion and continuous communication and cooperation among minority and majority religions in our societies. Religious freedom and democracy belong together.

I strongly urge you to reconsider the direction the proposed bill is taking and to discuss with a wide spectrum of religious communities in Denmark other appropriate approaches and solutions that would lead to a positive outcome that is acceptable to all.

LUTHERISCHER WELTBUND P.O: Box 2100, Route de Ferney 150, CH-1211 Geneva 2 FÉDÉRATION LUTHÉRIENNE MONDIALE Tel. +41/22-791 61 11, Direct +41/22-791 63 61 FEDERACIÓN LUTERANA MUNDIAL E-Mail [email protected] Lutheran World Federation

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The LWF stands ready to discuss this further with you and to support you and your government as you continue serving the Danish people in these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, when faith is an important source of hope and solace for many.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Dr Martin Junge General Secretary The Lutheran World Federation

CC Ms Joy Mogensen Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs, Denmark

Ambassador Morten Jespersen Danish Permanent Representative to UNOG

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Ambassador Susanne Hyldelund Embassy of Denmark, Germany

Bishop Henrik Stubkjær Lutheran World Federation Council member and Executive Committee member The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark

Council on International Relations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark

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