30.08.2022

Strengthen Human Rights! Now!

Jochen Motte (6th from left) with the delegation of FMR together with Annalena Baerbock, german minister of foreign affairs (6th from right). © Janine Schmitz / photothek.de

"For the protection of human rights defenders and civil society, we expect a quick implementation regarding the announced increase in staff for human rights work at German embassies," said Jochen Motte, member of the German Forum for Human Rights (FMR) Coordination Circle and of the Board of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM). The visa department and the human rights officer also need staff reinforcement. The newly created "protection program for human rights defenders at risk" should be further expanded.

The FMR expects the consistent implementation of all commitments made in the coalition agreement to strengthen human rights. At the meeting on August 30, representatives of the network demanded that human rights be a central component of the new German security strategy as well as the planned China strategy.
"Autocratic regimes that violate human rights are a security risk," said Silke Pfeiffer, a member of the FMR Coordination Circle. Russia is just one example: the war was also made possible because civil society resistance and press freedom became increasingly impossible.
The FMR welcomes the clear language of the Minister in many foreign talks, such as in Greece, where Baerbock had criticized the illegal "pushbacks" at the EU external borders by the European border protection agency Frontex. "This clear language must be translated into consistent political action for human rights," FMR said.

FMR brings together more than 50 German non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that advocate for comprehensive human rights protection - worldwide, in particular world regions, different countries and in Germany. UEM is a member of the network. Human rights engagement has become dangerous or even life-threatening in an increasing number of countries. Talks with foreign ministers are unthinkable there. On the occasion of the meeting, the FMR handed over a dossier with summarizes about 40 countries where human rights defenders are massively endangered.

Here you can find our press release in German language.