The Amnesty International Report is an important point of reference for me. Amnesty International does not shrink from painful issues. My thanks go to the organization’s hundreds of thousands of volunteers, who again helped many people in the course of last year, by writing letters, signing petitions, making donations. Political prisoners were released, use of the death penalty is receding. These and other examples show that commitment is worthwhile.
The subject of human rights and business became more of an international focus last year. The tragedies in Bangladesh show us that every individual – also in their role as consumers – can help decide whether people in other countries have to work for a pittance and with no safety standards.
Human rights are universal. Every single human being has a right to them, but also the responsibility to protect the rights of others. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation with Amnesty International.