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Gudrun Kugler

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Gudrun Kugler
Member of the National Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 November 2017
Member of the Gemeinderat and Landtag of Vienna
In office
2015–2017
Personal details
Born (1976-11-12) 12 November 1976 (age 47)
Gmunden, Austria
CitizenshipAustrian
Political partyAustrian People's Party (ÖVP)
Alma materJohannes Kepler University Linz
Profession
  • Politician
  • lawyer
Websitegudrunkugler.at

Gudrun Veronika Kugler, née Lang, also known as Kugler-Lang (born 12 November 1976, Gmunden, Upper Austria), is an Austrian politician. She is also a Roman Catholic theologian, jurist, and an Austrian People's Party member of Austria's National Council.

Kugler is known for her involvement in the pro-life movement and her work combatting human trafficking,[1] the death penalty,[2][3][4] and her efforts in preserving marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Furthermore, she advocates against the discrimination and persecution of Christians and other faith groups in Europe and worldwide.[5]

Political and business activities

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Kugler holds master's degrees in law, women's studies, and theology. Her doctorate is in international law.[6][7] From 2001 to 2004, she worked in Brussels as the first director of the World Youth Alliance-Europe,[6] representing 1.5 million young people from 100 countries at the EU and UN.[8] In January 2005, she and her husband founded Kairos-PR, a consulting company based in Vienna which focuses on charitable initiatives.[9][10]

In 2005, Kugler ran as an independent candidate for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) at the Vienna municipal elections and earned the most votes after the top candidate Johannes Hahn (currently Austria's EU Commissioner).[6] In that context, abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion activists accused each other of fundamentalism.[11]

In April 2010, Kugler was elected a member of the Advisory Panel[12] of the Fundamental Rights Platform (a form of co-operation of EU Fundamental Rights Agency with NGOs), for a period of two years.[13]

In 2015, she was elected to the Viennese municipal council for the ÖVP, receiving 1,652 "preference votes" added to ballots by voters by hand.[14]

In October 2017, she surprised political observers when she won a direct seat in the National Council elections in a traditionally social-democratic stronghold in Vienna. Her ticket received the highest increase in votes, more than 9%. Kugler also placed the second in the preference votes of all regional ÖVP candidates in Vienna.[15]

Activities in Austrian Parliament and OSCE

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Kugler in the Plenum of the Austrian National Council

Since 2017, Gudrun Kugler is a Member of the Austrian Parliament. Re-elected in 2019, she is now the human rights spokesperson, as well as the spokesperson for WWII-exiled minorities, for the parliamentary group of ÖVP.[16] She is vice-chair of the human rights committee, the equality committee, and the committee for ombudsperson.[17] Furthermore, she is member of the Austrian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE, Vice-chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration,[18] and chair of the Austrian bi-lateral parliamentary group with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.[19]

As spokesperson for human rights, Gudrun Kugler initiated numerous parliamentary resolutions, such as on the protection of religious minorities, namely Christian minorities,[20] the Muslim minority of Uighurs in China,[21] and the Bahaí in Yemen.[22] She also combated human trafficking[23] and organ trafficking,[24] advocated for vulnerable groups in asylum procedures,[25] protecting women against female genital mutilation,[26] human rights in prisons, and human rights in artificial intelligence,[27] and rights for people with disabilities.[28]

Kugler is also known for her critique of China's human rights violations,[29] and for her ambitions to strengthen the collaboration between Central- and Eastern European states.[30]

Positions

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Christian activities

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Together with other Christian intellectuals, Kugler founded Europe for Christ, an initiative to encourage Christians to be aware of their responsibilities in the political forum. She also established the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe.[31][6][9][32][33]

Kugler attended the first meeting of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on "intolerance and discrimination against Christians" as a representative of the Documentation Centre.[13]

Kugler has stated that "intolerance against Christians by negative stereotyping and discrimination by denial of rights are on the rise".[34] Since 2008, Kugler has taught as an adjunct professor at the International Theological Institute in Vienna, Austria.[6][35] She founded and ran the youth academy of the Dr.-Karl-Kummer-Institute.[6] In 2010, she and Denis Borel edited the book "Entdeckung der Freundschaft" (discovery of friendship) in honor of the 65th Birthday of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.[36][37] Together with her husband, Kugler founded the Catholic marriage bureau kathTreff.[38][39]

In 2019, Kugler held a speech at the event of "Awakening Austria" in which she criticized that marriage had become "something arbitrary."[40] The event was held during the election campaign of ÖVP-chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and received public attention as Ben Fitzgerald (founder of "Awakening Europe") called upon the thousands of attendees to pray for Sebastian Kurz.[41][42][43]

Socio-political stance

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Kugler wants registrars in Vienna to be able to refuse the establishment of registered partnerships with reference to their Christian faith. She is a supporter of the American officer Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage certificates to homosexual couples because of her Christian faith and so was temporarily jailed. For Kugler, Davis is a prime example of modern-day Christian persecution. Kugler further argues that the authentication of same-sex marriage could consequently lead to marriage among siblings.[2][44]

Awards

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Kugler received the Leopold Kunschak Prize for her dissertation, and the prize of the "Ja zum Leben" Foundation (German: "Yes to life") for her work in Brussels.[6][8]

In 2018, Kugler received the "Thomas More Award" by the International Catholic Legislators Network.[45]

Private life

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Gudrun Kugler is married to Martin Kugler, a historian, head of Kairos Consulting, and former spokesperson of the Austrian branch of the conservative Catholic association Opus Dei, which he left before they married. They have four children.[46][47][10]

Publications

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Monographs

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  • Kugler, Gudrun (2003). Symposium im Gedenken an die Widerstandsgruppe Weiße Rose zum 60. Todestag von Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl. Texte zum Symposium im Gedenken an die Widerstandsgruppe "Weisse Rose" zum 60. Todestag von Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, Christoph Probst. Texts for the symposium in memory of the resistance group "White Rose" on the 60th anniversary of the death of Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, Christoph Probst [Symposium in memory of the resistance group White Rose on the 60th anniversary of the death of Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl] (in German). München: Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft: Edition pro mundis. ISBN 3-932829-75-1.
  • Kugler, Gudrun; Strohmer, Michael (2003). Europa der Grundrechte?: Beiträge zur Grundrechtecharta der Europäischen Union; mit einem Geleitwort des Bundespräsidenten der Republik Österreich [Europe of fundamental rights? Contributions to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union ; with a foreword by the Federal President of the Republic of Austria.] (in German). Bonn: Verlag für Kultur und Wissenschaft. ISBN 3-932829-61-1.
  • Kugler, Gudrun (2004). Family – Answer to Many Questions. Freiburg: World Youth Alliance.
  • Kugler, Gudrun; Beller, Tilman (2009). Hat Gott auch einen Plan für mich [Does God also have a plan for me] (in German). Freiburg: KathTreff.org.
  • Kugler, Gudrun; Borel, Denis (2010). Entdeckung der Freundschaft: von Philia bis Facebook [Discovery of friendship: from Philia to Facebook] (in German). Freiburg: Herder. ISBN 978-3-451-30343-2.

Essays and Articles

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References

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  1. ^ "Pro-Life-Aktivistin kandidiert für Wiener ÖVP - derStandard.at". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  2. ^ a b ""Christliche Aktivistin" in Wiener ÖVP sorgt für Aufregung - derStandard.at". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. ^ "Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Kugler, Dr. Fürst, Kolleginnen und Kollegen betreffend entschlossene Bekämpfung von Schlepperei und Menschenhandel" [Motion for a resolution by Dr. Kugler, Dr. Fürst, and colleagues on resolutely combating the smuggling of and trafficking in human beings] (PDF). National Council (Austria) (in German). 2019-01-30.
  4. ^ "Nationalrat verabschiedet Anträge zum Einsatz gegen Menschenhandel und Radikalisierung – Gudrun Kugler" [National Council passes motions on anti-trafficking and radicalization - Gudrun Kugler] (in German). April 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  5. ^ Prior, Thomas; Thalhammer, Anna (2018-08-31). "Mosers Vorstoß bringt die Regierung unter Zugzwang". Die Presse (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "MMag. Dr. Gudrun Kugler, MTS". Kairos Consulting. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  7. ^ "The Battle for Human Dignity". Internationales Theologisches Institut. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  8. ^ a b "Preisgekrönter FAZ-Redakteur" (PDF). Aktion Lebensrecht für Alle e. V. (ALfA). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  9. ^ a b "Der Kampf um die Menschenwürde". Internationales Theologisches Institut. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  10. ^ a b "Dr. Gudrun Kugler, Biografie". www.parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  11. ^ a b Gudrun Kugler-Lang (2006-02-14). "Das "F-Wort" mit dem langen Bart". Wiener Zeitung. Archived from the original on 2006-02-23. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  12. ^ "FRP Advisory Panel". Archived from the original on 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
  13. ^ a b "Closing of the 3rd Fundamental Rights Platform meeting with civil society organisations (16/04/2010)". Facebook. Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). 2010-04-20. Retrieved 2015-04-19.
  14. ^ "Wien: Korosec bleibt dank Vorzugsstimmen im Gemeinderat". 2016-10-12. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Grundmandat geschafft!". 16 October 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Dr. Gudrun Kugler, Biografie". www.parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  17. ^ "Lebenslauf – Gudrun Kugler" (in German). 13 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  18. ^ "Migration". www.oscepa.org. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  19. ^ "Bilaterale Parlamentarische Gruppen" [Bilateral Parliamentary Groups]. parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  20. ^ "Entschließungsantrag der Abgeordneten Dr. Kugler, Dr. Fürst und weiterer Abgeordneter betreffend die Fortführung des Einsatzes für die Rechte von verfolgten Christen in aller Welt" [Motion for a resolution by Dr. Kugler, Dr. Fürst and other Members of Parliament concerning the continuation of the commitment to the rights of persecuted Christians throughout the world.] (PDF). parlament.gv.at (in German). 2018-09-26.
  21. ^ "1472/A(E) (XXVII. GP) - die Situation der Uiguren". parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  22. ^ "100/A(E) (XXVI. GP) - Verfolgung religiöser Minderheiten wie Christen und Bahá'í im Jemen und das religiös motivierte Todesurteil gegen Hamid Bin Haidara, einem Mitglied der Bahá'í" [100/A(E) (XXVI GP) - Persecution of religious minorities such as Christians and Bahá'ís in Yemen and the religiously motivated death sentence against Hamid Bin Haidara, a member of the Bahá'ís]. parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  23. ^ "724/A(E) (XXVII. GP) - Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung des Menschenhandels" [724/A(E) (XXVII. GP) - Measures to combat trafficking in human beings]. parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  24. ^ "Kugler: Organhandel und Menschenhandel kosten Menschenleben – wir müssen unser Engagement intensivieren!" [Kugler: Organ trafficking and human trafficking cost human lives - we must intensify our commitment!]. OTS.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  25. ^ katholisch.at. "VP-Menschenrechtssprecherin Kugler: Konvertiten Asyl gewähren" [VP human rights spokeswoman Kugler: grant asylum to converts]. katholisch.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  26. ^ "ENTSCHLIESSUNGSANTRAG der Abgeordneten Dr. Gudrun Kugler, Karl Mahrer, BA, Mag. Georg Bürstmayr, Mag. Faika EI-Nagashi, Dr. Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic betreffend der Sicherstellung von fairen, qualitätsvollen Asylverfahren, vor allem im Umgang mit besonders vulnerablen Gruppen wie z.B. bei Flucht aufgrund von religiöser Konversion oder sexueller Orientierung, Geschlechtsidentität" [MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION by Dr. Gudrun Kugler, Karl Mahrer, BA, Georg Bürstmayr, Faika EI-Nagashi, Dr. Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic on ensuring fair, high-quality asylum procedures, especially in dealing with particularly vulnerable groups such as those fleeing on the basis of religious conversion or sexual orientation, gender identity.] (PDF). parlament.gv.at (in German). 2020-06-30.
  27. ^ "Einstimmig angenommen: Anträge zum Schutz von Journalisten und zum Verbot von "Killer-Robotern"" [Unanimously adopted: Motions to protect journalists and ban "killer robots".] (in German). 26 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  28. ^ "1261/A(E) (XXVII. GP) - Forcierung der Erstellung und Umsetzung des Nationalen Aktionsplans Behinderung 2022-2030" [1261/A(E) (XXVII. GP) - Acceleration of the preparation and implementation of the National Action Plan on Disability 2022-2030]. parlament.gv.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  29. ^ "Profil-Artikel: Nur mehr 46 Delikte mit Todesstrafe" [Profile article: Only 46 offenses with death penalty left] (in German). 10 July 2018. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  30. ^ "Osteuropäischen Ländern ein starker Partner sein!" [Eastern European countries to be a strong partner!] (in German). 29 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  31. ^ "Home". intoleranceagainstchristians.eu.
  32. ^ Hedwig von Beverfoerde (2009-06-23). "Wachsende Diskriminierung von Christen in OSZE-Staaten". Sven von Storch; Freie Welt. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  33. ^ "Report of OSCE/ODIHR Roundtable" (PDF). OSZE. 2009-03-04. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  34. ^ APA (2009-05-28). "250 Millionen Christen wegen ihres Glaubens verfolgt". Die Presse. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  35. ^ "Gudrun Kugler curriculum vitae". Internationales Theologisches Institut: Hochschule für Katholische Theologie. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  36. ^ "Kardinal : Die Brüder Schönborn". Bayerischer Rundfunk. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  37. ^ "Buch: Hat Gott auch einen Plan für mich?". Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  38. ^ "Partnersuche auf katholisch – in Zeiten der Isolierung - Vatican News". www.vaticannews.va (in German). 2020-04-21. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  39. ^ Pühringer, Marco (2019-06-18). "Religiöse Radikale beten für Kurz - das ist nicht der einzige Kontakt zum rechten christlichen Rand". Kontrast.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  40. ^ "Meine Rede bei Awakening Europe – Gudrun Kugler" (in German). 18 June 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  41. ^ "derStandard.at". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  42. ^ "Interview mit Gudrun Kugler". GLAUBE.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  43. ^ Prüller, Dr Michael. "Kommunikationschef Prüller zu "Awakening Austria"". www.erzdioezese-wien.at (in German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  44. ^ Craycraft, Kenneth Jr. "Opinion: Sibling marriage? Why not?". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  45. ^ "Kugler erhält Ehrung des International Catholic Legislators Network – Gudrun Kugler" (in German). 6 September 2018. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  46. ^ Fabian Schmid, Katharina Mittelstaedt (18 June 2019). "Mails und Gebete beschäftigen Kurz". Der Standard. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Opus Dei - derStandard.at". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2021-02-01.
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