The Joint Conference of Church and Development (GKKE) has sharply criticized the German government’s recent shift towards an arms export policy driven more by foreign, security, and economic interests. According to their annual report, this change marks a departure from the principles maintained by the previous administration, which emphasized a restrictive practice, greater transparency, and enforceable control laws.

The ecumenical organization considers this reorientation to be a significant step backward. They warn that prioritizing economic interests in arms exports risks approving sales to countries where human rights violations occur systematically. The GKKE, representing both Protestant and Catholic churches, expressed concern about the potential humanitarian consequences of this policy change.