Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted seventy-five years ago this week. In view of the crimes committed in Germany’s name and the Shoah, this anniversary presents the country with a particular challenge in this post-October 7 world.

The ‘My Voice, My Weapon’ music video promotes freedom of expression by raising young people's awareness for the role that they have to play in bringing about positive change and sustainable development. It is composed by the African Creative Action Network (ACAN) in partnership with Africans Rising.

The ‘Hope on the Horizon’ music video depicts the Africa that the young artists would like to see: A strong, united, prosperous Africa. The ‘artivists’ (artists + activists) creatively remind us of things that are holding back Africa’s economic take-off and the elements on which it must rely for its sustainable development. The music video is composed by ACAN (African Creative Action Network) in collaboration with Africans Rising.

Art can be a disruptive form of expression and a powerful tool to shift existing political and social realities. However, in Kenya, the creative industry is often corrupt, and the government ignores many young artists, especially those who speak up for democracy and human rights. The Kenyan psychologist and human rights defender Salima Macharia shares some insights gained through her daily work with young artivists (artist + activist) from informal settlements in Nairobi.

The "Missing Voices" human rights network from Kenya which grew out of the Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) is fighting on the front line to end the vicious cycle of police abuse of power. They partnered with Juliani, Flawless Konya, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, and Abudabi Tembekali to create ‘Uwaga’ a music video aimed to inspire Kenyans to stand up against police brutality by illustrating the power of unity and re-imagining a nation whose principles are founded on equality and justice. 

This spoken word piece by Loveth Liberty explores how a rising young Nigerian population could inspire 'another story' much different from today's reality.

The Thought Leadership Programme at Triangle Project was identified to address the historical legacies of Apartheid South Africa. Young Black LGBTQI+ people in South Africa still bear the brunt of our history and do not have innovative and structured places to create social mobility to participate in the democratic agenda. These young LGBTQI+ people are often left out in contributing to change and governance due to the lack of a good civic education which not only plagues South Africa but the African continent at large.  

In May, activists, feminists, researchers, and human rights defenders from some 35 countries from all continents will gather at the Global Assembly in Frankfurt am Main to discuss their ideas and strategies for a world with more justice and human dignity.

In her laudation, Lotte Leicht pays tribute to people like Joumana Seif who do not demand revenge for crimes committed against them and their relatives, but who insist on justice.

In the Syrian case the international community failed to prove that human rights are also for the Syrian people, that everyone has the right to be protected. Twelve years of this ongoing war – and the international community did not do anything for the democratization of the country, they only offered humanitarian help. Interview with the winner of the Anne Klein Women's Award 2023, Joumana Seif.