Human Rights Defenders
Civil Society Representatives
“Defending civil society means defending the very soul of democracy.”
– Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger –
Civil society assumes a particularly vital role in contexts where state institutions are under strain or deliberately weakened. Dedicated individuals and organizations document human rights abuses, educate the public, advocate for marginalized communities, and safeguard spaces for free expression. These efforts preserve democratic values and culture, often at significant personal risk, including harassment, threats, or persecution.
Democracy depends not only on laws and institutions but on the active engagement of citizens. Rights and freedoms exist on paper, but they are only truly effective when people assert, defend, and protect them. Active civic participation, whether in public office, political organizations, or grassroots initiatives, is essential for the health and resilience of democratic societies.
The publication, “Human Rights Defenders: Civil Society Representatives,” shines a powerful spotlight on courageous individuals and representatives of civil society who risk everything to defend democracy, freedom, and human rights. Through vivid reports and compelling interviews, it captures their relentless spirit and their call to stand unwaveringly for the universal values of freedom and human dignity.
This edition pays tribute to Gerhart R. Baum, whose lifelong work connected state responsibility with individual freedoms. As a lawyer and former Federal Minister of the Interior, he championed civil liberties and gave voice to those whose rights were at risk. His example illustrates that democracy requires more than institutional stability – it demands the courage and commitment of individuals.
By sharing individual stories, the publication not only documents human rights defenders’ struggles and achievements but also serves as a call to action: urging policymakers to support civil society, society at large to recognize and back defenders of freedom, and every individual to take responsibility in strengthening democratic life. It demonstrates that democracy’s resilience is measured not only by its formal structures but by how its principles are actively lived and defended in challenging times.
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