The human rights organization Human Rights Watch warns in its new world report from global attacks on the rules-based international order. For the 36th edition of the report, which will be published on Wednesday, the organization analyzed the human rights situation in more than 100 countries. “It’s about a concerted attack on human rights,” said Phillip Frisch, Germany director of Human Rights Watch, at the launch of the report on Tuesday in Berlin.
The policies of the Trump administration as well as authoritarian powers such as China and Russia are particularly responsible. The organization called on human rights-oriented democracies to form an alliance to defend the rules-based international order. Germany should also join such an alliance, said Frisch. Human rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, the prohibition of torture or the right to life, protect against state arbitrariness and are the basis for peaceful cooperation.
Frisch also criticized last week’s government statement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU). Merz had demanded that Germany must “Learn the language of power”. However, in terms of security policy, Germany is “a lightweight,” said Frisch, and he recommended instead relying on soft power, i.e. the attractiveness of a life in freedom and dignity. Germany must take a stand against the discourse that increasingly despises human rights – this is currently particularly visible in migration policy.
In terms of foreign policy, Frisch criticized the German attitude towards Israel and Palestine, saying that Germany had not lived up to its responsibilities there. On the other hand, he assessed the policy towards Iran positively. At the European level, Frisch criticized the weakened supply chain law. It is dangerous to present “human rights as a question of bureaucracy”.
Human rights also for those affected by poverty
The World Report states, among other things, that right-wing extremist rhetoric and violence have increased in Germany – particularly against minorities and migrants and especially since the 2025 election campaign. There is also an increase in attacks on civil society. Almaz Teffera, who researches racism in Europe for Human Rights Watch, cited the Union parliamentary group’s 2025 request as an example 551 questions for civil society organizations. She also referred to the repression against climate activists and restrictions on the freedom of expression of people who demanded solidarity with Palestine.
Structural racism also remains the reality of life for many people in Germany, explained Teffera. Migrant people are increasingly presented as a problem, for example by distinguishing between “good” and “bad” migrants. One in five migrant people is now considering leaving Germany. In the debate about citizens’ money, “social protection is increasingly being linked to conditions,” criticized Teffera. Human rights also apply to people affected by poverty.
Human Rights Watch is observing massively growing attacks on the rights of LGBTQ people around the world. Alex Müller, director of the LGBT program at Human Rights Watch, referred to the decision by the President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner (CDU), also on the occasion of Christopher Street Days to no longer fly the rainbow flag at the Reichstag building. The argument that the flag threatens “political neutrality” is right-wing populist, said Müller. The government also plans to enact the 2024 Self-determination law to evaluate. This makes it possible to change the gender entry and first name. The law is a milestone for trans people and should not be attacked, warned Müller.