With the adoption of the Declaration, the international community assured all people the same rights and liberties – irrespective of their background, language or religion

Human rights are worth protecting

The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights". This is considered self-evident in Germany. But that is not the case everywhere. In many parts of the world, even fundamental rights like freedom and equality are still not adequately respected. The German government is doing everything it can to protect human rights at all levels.

Indivisible fundamental rights

Human rights are firmly anchored in the German Basic Law or constitution. They are indivisible and apply to all people in the same way. This applies to human dignity and gender equality, as it does to freedom of opinion and freedom of religion. The German government endeavours to maintain the high level of protection of human rights in Germany, and to further extend this.

Global action for human rights

At international level too, the German government pushes to have human rights respected, and is active in many different bodies in an effort to ensure that people can live in dignity everywhere in the world. Germany is signatory to all major EU, Council of Europe and UN conventions and agreement relating to human rights. In addition, the German government is actively involved in the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Strengthening the UN Human Rights Council

The German government attaches particular importance to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the central body for protecting human rights at international level. The Human Rights Council addresses serious human rights violations at international level, including the violations committed during the conflict in South Sudan and the situation of the Rohingya in Myanmar. It helps respond swiftly in emergencies around the world.

Universal periodic review

This year Germany underwent its third "universal periodic review" in front of the Human Rights Council. In May, Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, presented the worldwide contribution of the Federal Republic of Germany to protecting human rights. She also explained what steps can be taken to further optimise the already high level of human rights protection in Germany.

International measures

At international level, Germany is involved in numerous human rights measures, including interventions to promote freedom of opinion, freedom of expression and legal protection. It is also playing an active part in moves to end torture and the use of the death penalty, which still exist in many countries. With China, for instance, the German government has conducted a human rights dialogue for many years, to discuss the human rights situation in China and press for these fundamental rights to be respected.

Humanitarian aid and development cooperation

Germany also promotes human rights directly with its humanitarian aid measures and development cooperation projects. In many Africa states, for instance, the German government is working to give people access to safe drinking water and adequate health care. It also advocates protecting women and children in particular from violence in conflict-affected areas, and ensuring access to basic education.    

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights lays out the non-binding recommendations of the United Nations on fundamental human rights principles. It was proclaimed and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948. Since then, 10 December has been International Human Rights Day.