Over 60 officials and human rights scholars from China and various European countries, including Germany, Britain, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, gathered in Berlin on Tuesday to discuss the protection of new and emerging human rights.
The seminar, now in its eighth edition since its inception in 2015, focused on key topics such as social rights, economic inequality, the intersection of digital technology and human rights, and the protection of human rights in the context of climate change.
Ma Huaide, vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and president of the China University of Political Science and Law, highlighted the significance of protecting emerging rights in the development of global human rights. He emphasized China’s efforts in safeguarding citizens’ online security and privacy rights, as well as promoting environmental protection and green development.
“We need global cooperation to adopt a ‘humanity first’ approach,” Ma said. “By promoting true multilateralism, we can avoid imbalances in the global governance of emerging rights and foster consensus through openness and fairness.”
Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and chairperson of the German think tank Schiller Institute, praised China’s vision of a shared future for humanity. She highlighted initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, noting that they transcend narrow geopolitical interests to address modern human rights needs.
Jure Zovko, president of the International Academy for the Philosophy of the Sciences, underscored the importance of dialogue between civilizations. He urged for mutual learning to protect human beings and their living conditions while mitigating the risks associated with globalization.
Jiang Jianxiang, director of the Central South University Human Rights Center, remarked that the diversity of emerging rights concepts and their protection reflects the cultural diversity of the international community. “Deeper cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and European human rights institutions and scholars can lead to new insights,” he said.
The seminar serves as an institutionalized platform for in-depth exchanges and cooperation on human rights between China and Europe. This year’s event was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the Central South University Human Rights Center, organized by the German and Chinese Culture Foundation, and co-organized by the University of Münster and the International Academy for the Philosophy of the Sciences.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
