Right
honorable Herr President. Honorable Frau Minister. Dear colleagues.
The
Justice Ministry is responsible for the examination and lawful execution of statutes.
To that extent, it is obliged to be an office of watchmen. And not a few statutory
initiatives emanate from the Justice Ministry. We have even heard some
announcements in this line from the mouth of the minister.
In
the Corona crisis, unexpected, highly charged questions have been presented for
careful consideration. What is a single life worth? It was decided that the
potential endangerment of a life outweighs any economic damage. This judgment
permits one other question, which in everyday practice and execution of the law
has long since been decided, to appear in a new light. I am thinking of the
question of §218 of the penal code [termination of pregnancy]. It will surprise
you that I, similar to the forces on the left of the spectrum, want to here
plead for an abolition of this provision, albeit from a different perspective.
I
have a wish to make, a dream, that a process of re-thinking and of re-cognition
presents itself in a new self-understanding which may make §218 superfluous.
This understanding is primarily shaped by seeing the prospects with which each
new life is invested. In the Gospel of John it says, “…I am come that they
might have life and have it abundantly”. From this abundance may be expected a
new Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or a new Mother Teresa. This abundance preserves an
optimistic view of the future. Yes, it vests in us.
Yes,
we can bring about a change. In that regard, it may help to consider that what
we have received as a gift, what we in abundance enjoy, life, we may not
withhold from people in its early stages. It is a question of justice. The same
prospect pertains to each life from the beginning. It is therefore necessary to
place empathy for life at the center, in the home, in the schools, in all
public life. As a people we are also required to solve our problems with our
own powers and not by the poaching of people from other countries or
continents.
Mechthild Rawert (SPD): Are you
speaking of the skilled labor shortage?
Consider
next week: Sustainable policy. If we in this way discover anew the value of
unborn life and prepare more strongly than previously the public resources for
this duty of the future, then may an optimism be brought about.
Ladies
and gentlemen, I am in principle disinclined to involve my own family and
personal surroundings in politics, in political work. Today I want to make an
exception with the following, concluding picture: About a year ago, I was
sitting in the early evening at home at the kitchen table reading. I heard the
approach of little steps outside the kitchen door. Slowly, the door handle was
pressed down. My three year old granddaughter – she lives with her family on
the floor above – came in. I turned to her. She came near. She stood before me,
we looked at one another. She lay her hand and her little head on my knee. I
stroked her hair.
Steffi Lemke (Greens): Say, it’s
good now!
We
glanced again at one another. She went to the door, left the room and closed
the door. There was not a word during this brief scene.
Steffi Lemke (Greens): Embarrassing!
Something so embarrassing!
Dear
colleagues, this encounter fills me to this day with a deeper, more creaturely
gratitude.
Ulli Nissen (SPD): What might your
granddaughter say when she reads your speech?
I
wish you all similar fortunate, blessed moments. I want to suggest a corresponding initiative
of new reflection.
Thanks.
[trans: tem]
