Marianne Birthler

Marianne Birthler is a German civil rights activist and former politician who played an important role in the peaceful revolution that brought down the communist dictatorship in East Germany in 1989. From 2000 to 2011, she served as Federal Commissioner for the Records of the East German State Security Service (Stasi), promoting transparency and accountability in confronting the legacy of the dictatorship. A longstanding advocate for democracy, human rights, and historical remembrance, she continues to contribute to public debates on freedom and the lessons of Germany’s divided past.