-2024 China-EU Human Rights Seminar- was held in Berlin, Germany

On October 22, 2024, the “China-Europe Human Rights Seminar” took place in Berlin, Germany, attracting over 60 scholars and experts from 16 countries. The theme of the seminar was “Emerging Rights Protection: Perspectives from China and Europe.”

In his opening remarks, Ma Huaide, Vice President of the China Human Rights Research Association and President of China University of Political Science and Law, emphasized the challenges that emerging rights pose to the current global human rights governance system. He called for countries to collaborate and adopt a “humanity first” principle as the foundation for protecting these rights. Ma highlighted the importance of genuine multilateralism to prevent imbalance in global governance and emphasized the need for an open and fair dialogue to achieve consensus and jointly provide solutions for the protection of emerging rights.

Zeng Fanhua, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, noted that China and Europe possess rich practical experiences in the protection of emerging rights while also facing similar governance challenges. He advocated for dialogue based on mutual respect and equality to foster better understanding and cooperation, underscoring that the development of China-Germany and China-Europe relationships benefits both parties and contributes to greater stability in a tumultuous world.

Heike Zepper-Laluš, Director of the German think tank Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, pointed out that human rights are a global issue that should be addressed through international cooperation. She lauded China’s concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and its “three global initiatives,” which consider the interests of all countries and transcend narrow geopolitical concerns.

Jiang Jianxiang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at Central South University and Director of the Human Rights Research Center, remarked on the diversity of the concept of emerging rights and its protective practices, reflecting the cultural diversity of the international community. He emphasized that human rights are a common value and pursuit of all humanity, arguing that deepening cooperation and exchanges between human rights institutions and scholars from China and Europe can inject new wisdom into the theoretical research and practical protection of emerging rights.

Yure Zovko, President of the International Philosophical Society and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Zadar in Croatia, stressed the importance of conducting civilizational dialogue from a human rights perspective, calling for mutual learning and discussions on how to protect humanity and its living conditions, while avoiding the dangers globalization may pose.

Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, former UN Human Rights Council Independent Expert on the Promotion of Democracy and Equality, asserted that peace is the fundamental cornerstone for all rights, and sustainable development cannot be achieved without it. Hans-Peter Großhans, President of the European Academy of Religion and Professor at the University of Münster in Germany, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the significance of cross-cultural discussions on human rights.

The seminar featured keynote speeches and two parallel forums addressing related topics, including economic equality and social rights, digital technology and human rights, and climate change and human rights.

Established in 2015, the China-Europe Human Rights Seminar serves as a structured academic platform for exchanges and cooperation in the field of human rights between China and Europe, having previously held eight sessions. This year’s seminar was co-hosted by the China Human Rights Research Association and Central South University, with support from the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University, the German-Chinese Cultural Foundation, the University of Münster, and the International Philosophical Society.