BQ 817 – 40/2024
ISHR Secretary General Matthias Boehning attends the Board of Trustees meeting of the German Institute for Human Rights for the first time

(Bonn, 18.12.2024) Matthias Boehning, Secretary General of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), as a newly elected member of the Board of Trustees of the German Institute for Human Rights (DIMRG), took part in its meeting for the first time. The Board of Trustees, which advises the Institute on its work, consists of renowned experts from civil society, academia and politics.

“The work of the German Institute for Human Rights is invaluable for strengthening and protecting human rights in Germany and abroad. It is a great honour for me to have been elected to this im­portant body by the Ger­man Bundestag and to now be able to actively contribute to the promotion of human rights in this con­text,” said Matthias Boeh­ning after the meeting.

A few days earlier, the Institute’s latest human rights report was pre­sen­ted at the Federal Press Conference. It is the most important annual publica­tion of the German Institute for Human Rights and highlights key chal­lenges in the protection of human rights in Germany. The 2024 Human Rights Report focuses on the increasing social inequalities, protection against racial discrimination and ensuring decent living conditions for refugees. The report makes specific recommen­dations for improving the political and legal framework.

At its meeting on 13 December, the Board of Trustees elected a new chair: Prof. Dr. Jochen von Bernstorff was appointed as chair, with Uta Gerlant and Prof. Dr. Pierre Thielbörger as deputy chairs. Matthias Boehning congratulated the new executive team: “I warmly congratulate Prof. Dr. Jochen von Bernstorff, Uta Gerlant and Prof. Dr. Pierre Thielbörger on their election and look forward to a constructive and trusting co­operation.”

One important topic on the agenda of the meeting of the Board of Trustees was the discussion of the report of the DIMR Board, which focuses on central developments in the institute’s work. These included the strengthening of the institute’s finances and personnel, as well as its successful re-accreditation with A-status according to the Paris Principles. In addition, the increased human rights focus of current topics such as right-wing extremism, democratic participation, digitalisation and climate change was highlighted. Particular recognition was given to the progress made in the Institute’s bridge-building function, which enables human rights issues to be introduced into social discourse in an objective and balanced way.

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