Human rights, democracy & freedom must be defended anew every day

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We must give her the respect she deserves.

Berlin, December 10.12.2022, 1948. In 75, the United Nations was still deeply aware of the horrific events of the Second World War and the grotesque human rights crime of the Holocaust, and it was also as a reminder that they passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Almost XNUMX years later, human rights, democracy and freedom have to be defended anew every day.

We see universal human rights and democracy being endangered around the world – for example in Russia or Iran, where courageous and strong-willed people take to the streets every day to demand their right to protest and to fight for freedom, democracy and political change. In this December week, the news of executed and pending executions in Iran is rolling over. It is our responsibility as an international community committed to universal human rights to respond resolutely to these grotesque human rights abuses. Otherwise, the regime will see it as a free pass to continue implementing its policies that violate human rights. Today, our unconditional solidarity and support particularly goes to those who stand up for their human rights every day.

Despite their universality, human rights and freedoms cannot be taken for granted. Refugees are more frequently affected by human rights violations, and those seeking protection at the external borders of the European Union experience massive human rights violations. The situation for women seeking protection is made worse by structures of multiple discrimination, because gender-based violence burdens the lives of women and girls worldwide.

The events of this year only add to the significance of International Human Rights Day. In order to see the importance of defending human rights, we don't have to think outside the box internationally, but a look at Germany is enough. The nationwide raid on December 07.12.2022th, XNUMX against a suspected terrorist network of Reich citizens and right-wing extremists underlines how extremely dangerous racist, anti-Semitic and misanthropic ideologies are for our democracy. According to the provisions of the Human Rights Convention, the state is obliged to protect everyone from inhuman violence. The fact that this duty to protect is indisputably missed when active and former civil servants want to put misanthropic ideologies into practice shows how urgent the need for action is. We immediately need a human rights-based and discrimination-sensitive strategy against racism and misanthropic ideologies - because we see the consequences every day.

If the traffic-light government is committed to a comprehensive human rights policy, then it should quickly bring this from the theoretical to the practical level. Human rights apply to everyone, always. All over. Out of the question.

DaMigra eV represents the interests of women migrant organizations and their concerns and advocates equal opportunities, equal participation and the equality of women with a history of migration and refugee experience in Germany. DaMigra follows the approach of anti-racist feminism.