2024 China-EU Human Rights Symposium held to jointly promote the protection of emerging rights

On October 22, the “2024 Sino-European Human Rights Seminar” took place in Berlin, Germany. Over 60 experts and scholars from 16 countries gathered to discuss the theme of “Emerging Rights Protection: Perspectives from China and Europe.” During the seminar, attendees acknowledged the achievements in human rights development in China while calling for strengthened exchanges between China and Europe to collaboratively promote the protection of emerging rights.

Uwe Behrens, a German economist and international logistics expert who has lived and worked in China for many years, shared his observations on China’s poverty alleviation efforts. He noted that former impoverished villages in China have seen significant improvements in infrastructure, renovated cottages, and cleaner environments, leading local residents to feel satisfied and proud of their progress.

Efi Can Gokhan, Vice Dean of the Istanbul University School of Economics and Administrative Sciences and Associate Professor of International Relations, emphasized the growing role of countries in environmental governance as the world confronts climate change. He highlighted that China showcases a unique perspective and commitment through its human rights model in this regard.

Stephen Brauer, Director of the “Belt and Road” Research Institute in Sweden, argued that fundamental human rights begin with the rights to survival and development. He stated that without these foundational rights, the protection of human rights lacks a solid basis, advocating for respect for civilizational diversity and promoting cultural equality and dialogue. Pedro Anjos, a young observer from the Portuguese think tank “China Observed,” remarked that modernization does not necessitate a singular framework for human rights, advocating for a more flexible approach to the concept.

Hans-Peter Großhans, Director of the European Institute of Religious Philosophy and Professor at the University of Münster in Germany, stressed the importance of cross-cultural discussions on human rights. He noted that for decades, Germany and China have consistently engaged in dialogue regarding human rights and legal matters, with the Sino-European Human Rights Seminar serving as a vital platform for promoting exchange and cooperation.

Established in 2015, the Sino-European Human Rights Seminar has become a structured academic platform for dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights between China and Europe. This year’s seminar was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Central South University, with the Human Rights Research Center of Central South University and the German China Cultural Foundation serving as the organizers, alongside collaboration from the University of Münster and the International Philosophical Society.