Welcome
Human rights – a cornerstone of German foreign policy
Some things are non-negotiable: Germany continues to campaign assiduously for human rights around the world. Indeed, working for human rights is not only a basic tenet of our foreign policy – it is also in Germany’s interests.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
It was a vision of a better world that brought men and women from across the globe to Paris over 70 years ago, in 1948 – a world in which the dignity of all individuals would be protected. They adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is based on the premise that all human beings possess “inherent dignity and [...] equal and inalienable rights”, without distinction being drawn on any basis such as colour, gender, language or religion or any other criteria. Everyone is entitled to human rights – simply by virtue of being human, and irrespective of any characteristic that may be used to differentiate between individuals.
The basis of every community
Germany’s obligation to stand up for human rights is also a lesson learned from the darkest chapter of its history. Human dignity and inviolable and inalienable human rights are therefore enshrined in Article 1 of Germany’s Basic Law “as the basis of every community, of peace and of justice in the world”. The Basic Law thus not only guarantees human rights in Germany, but also obliges us to work to protect human dignity and fundamental freedoms throughout the world.
Moral obligation and political interests
However, standing up for human rights is not only a moral and legal obligation under the Basic Law. Upholding human rights is also in Germany’s foreign policy interests. Examples from around the world show that, where human rights are violated, there can be no peace or stable development in the long run. In contrast, where freedoms and human dignity are protected, the conditions are right for creativity and prosperity.
At the Federal Foreign Office, human rights policy falls within the remit of the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance, Lars Castellucci, in addition to a division responsible for human rights. Together, they make use of a wide variety of instruments. Funding programmes for non-governmental organisations, political dialogue, public statements and quiet diplomacy, for example, have already improved the human rights situation in many countries.
Information about German human rights policy in easy language can be found here.
The best defender of human rights – a vibrant civil society
If human rights are to be protected, it is vital for the general public to be vigilant and to respond to any violations. Germany makes this a key priority in its work. In dialogue with non-governmental organisations, religious groups, intellectuals and activists, Germany seeks to support vibrant and vigilant civil societies in countries around the world. If members of the public are able to be active in independent groups and public forums, this constitutes one of the best forms of protection against a disregard of human rights.
Further information about civil society and human rights
Germany’s international human rights obligations
On the basis of the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the member states of the United Nations have created a comprehensive system of agreements to protect human rights. Germany is a party to all major UN human rights conventions and their supplementary protocols, and reports at regular intervals to the relevant committees on the implementation of its obligations under these agreements.
In Europe, too, there is a closely-knit network of institutions dedicated to the protection of human rights. The European Union and above all the Council of Europe and OSCE play a key role here.
Protection of fundamental rights in the EU
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Human rights logo
The human rights logo can be downloaded here free of charge. The design was selected in 2011 following an international competition organised by Germany. An international jury comprising a number of human rights activists and Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Shirin Ebadi and Mikhail Gorbachev, selected the winner from more than 15,000 entries from 190 countries. The symbol created by Predrag Stakić from Serbia of a bird and a hand was chosen and has since then been used as the symbol for human rights by the German Government and in an international context.