Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance at the Federal Foreign Office Dr Lars Castellucci on internatio...

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in Paris 77 years ago today, states that "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." This was a direct response to the crimes of National Socialism and continues to mark a political and moral new beginning to this day. This historic promise serves as both a solemn undertaking and a warning for us.

Human rights are currently under considerable pressure around the world. In many regions, the law of the strong is increasingly prevailing over the strength of the law. Authoritarian actors are attempting to relativise or roll back human rights standards. At the same time, disappointments, broken promises and accusations of a lack of coherence are undermining trust in the international human rights order. Human rights will only remain effective if states and societies actively defend and develop them.

This is particularly evident in current crises such as in the Sudan, where millions of people are affected by hunger, displacement and gross human rights violations, and in Ukraine, where international law is being blatantly violated. Defending human rights principles is therefore not only a question of humanitarian responsibility, but also a prerequisite for a stable and reliable rules-based international order.

As the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance at the Federal Foreign Office, I am committed to strengthening the universality of human rights, drawing greater attention to forgotten crises and promoting awareness of the importance of human rights obligations, including here in Germany. Human rights are a fundamental asset that must be defended and strengthened - to ensure a secure and just international order.

I would like to express my particular thanks today to all those around the world who strive to promote human rights, often under difficult and dangerous conditions. Their commitment makes it clear that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not a historical document that has achieved its aims, but one into which we must breathe new life each and every day.