ISHR Secretary General joins the Board of Trustees of the German Institute for Human Rights

On Friday, 13 December 2024, ISHR Secretary General Matthias Boehning attended the meeting of the Board of Trustees of the German Institute for Human Rights (DIMR) for the first time as a newly elected member of the Board. The DIMR is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in Germany which operates on the basis of international standards, particularly the Paris Principles, adopted by the United Nations in 1993 as an independent organization to promote and protect human rights within the jurisdiction of a country. The Board of Trustees, which advises on the work of the institute, 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 latest human rights report of the institute was presented at the German Federal Press Conference. It is the most important annual publication of the German Institute for Human Rights and highlights key challenges in human rights protection in Germany. The 2024 human rights report focuses on 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.

from left to right: Dr Oliver Ernst (Konrad Adenauer Foundation), Michael Windfuhr (Deputy Director of DIMR), Prof. Dr Beate Rudolf (Director of DIMR), Matthias Boehning

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 Thielboerger as deputy chairs. Matthias Boehning congratulated the new leadership team:

“I warmly congratulate Prof. Dr. Jochen von Bernstorff, Uta Gerlant and Prof. Dr. Pierre Thielboerger on their election and look forward to a constructive and trusting collaboration.”

One important item on the agenda of the Board of Trustees meeting 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 financial and personnel resources, as well as its successful re-accreditation with A-status according to the Paris Principles. In addition, the increasingly important human rights dimension of current issues 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 makes it possible to introduce human rights issues into social discourse in an objective and balanced way.