07.12.2023

Focus Coherently on Human Rights

Jochen Motte (left) and Luise Amtsberg (right) at the celebration in honour of 75 years human rights. Photo by: Beate Ziegler

75 years ago, on 10^th  December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration claims universal validity, regardless of age, nationality, gender identity or disability.

For the German context, the “Forum Menschenrechte” (abbreviated FMR, English: Forum Human Rights) was founded 30 years ago following the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna. The Forum, which today has more than 50 member organisations, is a network of civil society organisations that campaign for human rights in Germany and internationally. Against the background of the crimes committed by Germans in National Socialism, the German Human Rights Forum sees itself as having a special responsibility to stand up for human rights in Germany and internationally.

On 29^th November, the Forum Human Rights, together with the Protestant Academy Berlin and the German Institute for Human Rights, hosted a conference and celebration in Berlin to commemorate both the Declaration of Human Rights and the founding of the FMR.

In his welcoming address, Rev Dr Jochen Motte, member of the Management Team of the United Evangelical Mission, UEM Deputy General Secretary and Head of the Department for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, as well as member of the FMR Coordination Committee, said: "It is particularly important to focus equally and coherently on human rights, such as for asylum seekers and refugees in Germany and human rights for victims of human rights violations worldwide."

Among other things, the Forum was involved in the process that led to the founding of the German Institute for Human Rights in 2001. This strengthened the basis for monitoring and commenting on the enforcement of human rights in Germany in the long term. "Today, 75 years after the adoption of human rights, we are coming together at a time when human rights are being violated and called into question in a threatening way both in Germany and globally," Motte continued.

The United Evangelical Mission is a member organisation of the Forum Human Rights, where it is involved in German foreign policy, among other things. The expertise of the Asian and African UEM member churches is an important and critical resource for the UEM's contributions to the Forum's work.