Over 60 officials and human rights scholars from China and European countries including Germany, Britain, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic gathered in Berlin on Tuesday for a seminal seminar focused on the protection of new and emerging rights.
The event addressed critical 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. The discussions aimed to foster a deeper understanding and collaboration between China and Europe on these pressing issues.
Ma Huaide, vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and president of the China University of Political Science and Law, highlighted that the protection of emerging rights has become a pivotal issue in global human rights development. He emphasized China’s efforts in safeguarding citizens’ online security and privacy rights, as well as promoting environmental protection and green development.
“We must adopt a ‘humanity first’ approach and promote true multilateralism to avoid imbalances in the global governance of emerging rights,” Ma stated. He called for global cooperation to 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 mankind. She acknowledged initiatives like the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which 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, noted that the diversity of emerging rights concepts and their protection reflects the cultural diversity of the international community. He highlighted the potential for new insights through deeper cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and European human rights institutions and scholars.
First held in 2015, the seminar, now in its eighth edition, has become an institutionalized platform for in-depth exchanges and cooperation on human rights between China and Europe. This year’s seminar 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.
The gathering signifies a continued commitment to addressing global human rights challenges through collaborative effort and mutual understanding, aiming to build a more equitable and just world for all.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
