Welcome
Foreign Minister Maas on his meeting with the Forum Menschenrechte (Human Rights Forum)
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas gave the following statement today (3 February) on his meeting with the Forum Menschenrechte:
From freedom of speech and freedom of the press to protecting human rights defenders to addressing the particular impact of the pandemic, we work ceaselessly to uphold human rights – around the world and in every situation. In all of these areas, we can achieve more when we work together. With other countries and in particular with civil society.
Background information:
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance, Bärbel Kofler, held an online meeting today with the Forum Menschenrechte. The Forum connects over fifty German non-governmental organisations which work to safeguard human rights, and is in regular contact with the Federal Government.
Its members used today’s meeting to present documents setting out their positions and demands concerning just under fifty issues and country-specific situations. The discussion with Forum representatives focused on topics including protecting civil society and human rights defenders, the role of China, and Germany’s work on the UN Human Rights Council.