International Human Rights Day (December 10)

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) warns of a dramatic deterioration in the situation of indigenous communities and minorities worldwide. Wars, violence, authoritarian regimes, misguided climate policy, and economic interests are increasingly threatening the livelihoods and rights of these groups.

With a policy that only promotes human rights when it serves geopolitical interests and cuts humanitarian aid and development funds, the German government is contributing to this dramatic development, criticizes the human rights organization. Domestic policies that focus purely on isolation are partly responsible for the decline in empathy and solidarity with those in need. The STP calls for a human rights-based foreign policy and appeals to Chancellor Friedrich Merz to finally put human rights consistently above geopolitical and economic interests.

Human rights violations in Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine

The STP criticizes the German government for its inadequate response to the current humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which is the most severe to date. The human rights organization is calling for massive humanitarian aid for those in need, as well as special protective measures for women and children affected by systematic rape and for non-Arab communities who are being targeted for killing and displacement. “The international community must involve the Sudanese civilian population in all phases of the political negotiations and exert pressure on third countries such as the United Arab Emirates, which are fueling the war by supplying weapons,” demands Sarah Reinke, head of human rights work at the STP.

According to the human rights organization, people in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine are particularly vulnerable to severe human rights violations. Minorities such as the Crimean Tatars and the North Azovian Greeks (Urum and Rumei) are systematically persecuted and threatened with extinction. The German government “must consistently oppose the cession of territory to Russia and stand up for political prisoners,” demands the STP.

In Syria, ethnic and religious minorities are subjected to systematic violence, displacement, and targeted attacks by the new Islamist regime. The fact that there is now a debate about getting rid of the people who were accepted after 2015 is inhumane. “Above all, Druze, Alawites, and members of other minorities must not be deported to Syria under any circumstances,” demands Dr. Kamal Sido, Middle East expert at the STP.

Targeted repression and violence against minorities

The STP warns that minorities are also the target of violence and repression in other regions. The targeted persecution of Kurdish politicians and activists by the Erdogan regime is hardly addressed by the German government. “Turkey is torpedoing all efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question – yet the German government is failing to speak out clearly. As is so often the case, geopolitical interests are being placed above the protection of minorities and human rights,” criticizes the STP's Middle East expert.

The German government's lack of response to the violence following the elections in Tanzania is equally incomprehensible. Security forces took massive and deadly action against demonstrators there. Indigenous communities such as the Maasai have since been subjected to even greater repression, forced resettlement, and economic pressure. “Germany must no longer remain silent about the Tanzanian government's human rights violations. We once again call on the German government to demand an independent international investigation and to subject its development cooperation with Tanzania to a strict human rights review,” says Laura Mahler, STP's Advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Economic agreements and climate policy: Indigenous rights are being ignored

Indigenous Peoples around the world are also facing increasing repression, with economic interests rapidly increasing pressure on their territories. “Trade agreements such as the EU-Mercosur agreement and the weakening of supply chain legislation are accelerating the deforestation of rainforests and threatening the rights and territories of Indigenous Peoples. The impact of the meat, soy, timber, and mining industries on the Amazon rainforest is already devastating,” criticizes Eliane Fernandes, Advisor on  Indigenous Peoples.

Another major problem is that indigenous communities are not consulted or involved in projects on their territories, even though this is required under international law – for example, in large-scale infrastructure, hydrogen, or mining projects. "These projects, which are funded by Germany as part of ‘Just Transition’ programs, directly encroach on indigenous territories. Germany's energy and supply chain policies must not be allowed to destroy the livelihoods of indigenous communities," emphasizes Jan Königshausen, Advisor on Indigenous Peoples.

Appeal to the German government: Consistently defend human rights

In light of these developments, the STP urgently appeals to the German government to prioritize the protection of minorities, Indigenous Peoples and human rights in all foreign policy decisions. “It is not credible to lament the collapse of the international order if you do not consistently defend that order yourself,” says Sarah Reinke. Germany's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2027/2028 offers an opportunity to credibly advocate for human rights.

This press release was translated from German to English using AI. If you come across errors or ambiguities, please contact us at presse@gfbv.de.