The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig has upheld the ban against the far-right organization “Die Artgemeinschaft – Germanische Glaubens-Gemeinschaft wesensgemäßer Lebensgestaltung e. V”. The court conveyed this decision on Wednesday. The ruling was made in the context of a lawsuit filed by the organization, which challenged the ban imposed by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) on August 4, 2023.
The court determined that the association violates the constitutional order and the principles of international understanding. The organization, which views itself as the oldest Germanic pagan faith community, promotes an ideology, according to the court’s findings, that is oriented around Nazi racial theory. This belief system implies that only people of specific “races” should be members, and it advocates for a “community of the people” based on biology. This stance contradicts core principles of the Basic Law, particularly the inherent human dignity, which must apply regardless of origin or “race”.
The court emphasized that all religious and world views groups must adhere to general laws. It noted that the “Artgemeinschaft” has adopted key elements of Nazi ideology and disseminates them through its publications and public events. Furthermore, the group’s close ties to right-wing extremist circles and its use of Nazi symbolism were cited as material evidence strengthening the rationale for the ban.