Tennessee: TACRS German Persecution Response
TACRS - Press Release:
TENNESSEE
HOUSE RESOLUTION PRESSES GERMANY ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Nashville – In an effort of concern for basic human
rights and freedom, the Tennessee House of Representatives will consider a
resolution calling on the government of Germany to “recognize the basic,
fundamental rights of parents.” The House Education committee will take up the
issue this next week.
The measure, HR87, intended as a
response to an ongoing controversy involving a German family seeking political
asylum in Tennessee, has been introduced by Rep. John DeBerry. The
issue was brought to the legislature’s attention by the Tennessee Association of
Church–Related Schools (TACRS).
The Romeike family moved to Morristown, Tennessee
in August 2008 seeking political asylum. School attendance is
compulsory in Germany, as it is in the U.S.. However, educating children at home
is not allowed. German state constitutions require children to
attend public schools. Parents who don't comply face punishment
ranging from fines to prison time.
Uwe Romeike, like many parents in the U.S., said he
wanted to teach his own children because his children's German school textbooks
contained language and ideas that conflicted with his family's values.
He had to pay heavy fines for his decision, and he's afraid that if he
returns to Germany, police will arrest him and government authorities will take
away his children, who range in age from 11 to 3.
The family is currently awaiting a ruling by an
immigration court in Memphis, according to Michael Donnelly, an attorney with
the Home School Legal Defense Association. HSLDA is a Virginia-based advocacy
organization that defends family rights, including the constitutional right of
parents to direct the education of their children.
The Tennessee Association of Church Related Schools
is an organization chartered for the purpose of serving and strengthening
Christian education in the state of Tennessee through church-related school
ministries.
