ISHR Annual Conference 2025
On 29 March, ISHR Chairman Edgar Lamm welcomed the guests who had travelled to attend the 53rd Annual Conference of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) under the motto „Strengthening democratic movements – overcoming dictatorships“.
53rd Annual Conference
Strengthening democratic movements –
overcoming dictatorships!
At the 53rd Annual Conference under the motto „Strengthening democratic movements – overcoming dictatorships“, Edgar Lamm emphasized the alarming current political developments. He pointed out that Russia’s war of annihilation against Ukraine continues even after three years and that the threat to other neighbouring states such as Moldova, Georgia and the Baltic countries has increased through hybrid warfare. He was particularly critical of the downplaying of dictatorships and the „chaotic and unprincipled reorientation of American foreign policy“ which does not serve human rights. The conference welcomed speakers from numerous countries including Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Iraq and Pakistan. A particularly warm welcome was extended to Gabrielius Landsbergis, the former Foreign Minister of Lithuania whose grandfather Vytautas Landsbergis, the first President of Lithuania after independence in 1991, has long been associated with ISHR as a member of its board of trustees.
As part of the annual conference, the ISHR Media Award was presented to journalist Iman Sefati. The Stephanus Foundation for Persecuted Christians celebrated the award ceremony honouring Dr Nabil Antaki for his commitment to the Christian minority in Syria.
On the second day of the conference, further greetings were delivered or played. During the General Assembly on Sunday morning and the subsequent meeting of the ISHR International Council, additional voices and the many ISHR sections contributed and reported on their current projects and challenges.
Welcome address by ISHR Chairman Edgar Lamm
ISHR Chairman Edgar Lamm at the opening of the 53rd ISHR Annual Conference
Our 53rd Annual Conference is held under the motto „Strengthening democratic movements – overcoming dictatorships“ which has not become any easier in light of recent political developments. Three years ago we already said that Russia’s war of annihilation against Ukraine would be long-lasting. Since then the threat to other neighbouring states from Russia has only increased. Sometimes the downplaying of dictatorship is worse than the dictatorship itself.
Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis during his speech at the Annual Conference, photo: Michael Leh
„Defending democracy and supporting democratic activists cannot be an afterthought—an occasional gesture while we focus on what seems more important. It must be a strategy in itself—one with a clear objective where the end goal is not convenience but the preservation and strengthening of democracy.“
Leanid Marozau, Legal Advisor
Leanid Marozau, Legal Advisor, representing Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya (elected President of Belarus)
Igor Eidman, Forum of Russian-speaking Europeans
Igor Eidman, Forum of Russian-speaking Europeans, at this year’s conference
We have no other choice but to appeal to the international community for help. We cannot withstand this enemy on our own; only the intervention of a third country will make it possible to secure the release of civilian hostages without conditions and without exchange. Our relatives can only return home if the international community knows about them and if the international community calls on Russia to release them.
Naïla Chikhi, expert on women’s rights and Islamism
Naïla Chikhi, expert on women’s rights and Islamism
Michael Gahler, Member of the European Parliament
Michael Gahler, MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, photo: Michael Leh
„The need to stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights has unfortunately increased over the years. The great turning point of 1989/90 in Europe did not permanently anchor the rule of law, democracy, freedom and peace. Instead we are now facing extraordinary challenges which means we must be clear about how we as Europeans position ourselves together.“
Learn more about the country reports:
From B for Belarus to S for Syria, human rights activists reported on the situation in their home countries at the conference. ISHR is in contact worldwide with people engaged in humanitarian aid and hands-on human rights work. Together we advocate for respect for human dignity and the inviolability of universal human rights. Even though not all of our partners were able to attend, the country reports offer an excellent opportunity to learn about many different countries in a short time and to ask questions. Learn more about the country reports here and watch the video recordings of the event.
Speeches on the conference theme
Blasphemiegesetze in Pakistan
Christen in Pakistan leben unter ständiger lebensgefährlicher Bedrohung durch Blasphemie-Anschuldigungen. Michaela Koller, IGFM-Referentin für Religionsfreiheit spricht dazu mit Anneqa Anthony, Anwältin für Menschenrechtsfälle in Lahore von der Organisation „The Voice Society".
Grußworte aus Politik und Zivilgesellschaft
Zur 53. Jahrestagung der IGFM am 29. März 2025 haben sich der Bundestagsabgeordnete Detlef Seif, der syrisch-orthodoxe Erzbischof Maurice Hamsikh und die iranische Menschenrechtsanwältin Nasrin Sotoudeh mit Grußworten an das Publikum in Bonn gewendet.
Die Odyssee in die Freiheit – Naïla Chikhi
Die Kulturwissenschaftlerin Naïla Chikhi berichtet über die Gefahr für Frauen- und Menschenrechte durch Islamismus, "Wir, säkulare und demokratische Migrantinnen und Geflüchtete aus Ländern unter dem Einfluss des politischen Islam, stellen bitter fest, dass sich die Rückschritte unserer Herkunftsländer auch in unseren Aufnahmeländern manifestieren."
Greetings from politics and civil society
Learn more about greetings from representatives of international human rights work and politics. From Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, recipient of the Sakharov Prize and member of the ISHR Board of Trustees, we received a moving message in which she addressed the civil society struggle in Iran. This struggle for women’s right to freely choose their clothing as well as for freedom of expression also includes the right to determine their own fate in relation to the world — in peace and friendship with the international community.
From Syria, we received a message from Archbishop Maurice Hamsikh of Al-Jazira and Al-Hasakah, who spoke as a representative of the Syriac Orthodox community and expressed his gratitude to ISHR for its cooperation in supporting people in need. He made a strong appeal for the protection of religious and other minorities in Syria.
From German federal politics, we were welcomed by Detlef Seif, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU), who emphasized in his speech the importance of continuous human rights work. Using current examples and in light of the ongoing autocratization of democracies, he strongly urged continued determined commitment to human rights.
Detlef Seif, MdB
Mitglied im Innenausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages„Es wird immer Menschenrechtsverletzungen geben und deshalb ist es so wichtig, dass es Organisationen wie die IGFM gibt, die das auch mit Nachdruck permanent und wirklich in hervorragender Art und Weise bearbeitet.“
Erzbischof Maurice Hamsikh
von El-Dschasira und El-Hasaka Al-Hasaka, SyrienWir hoffen, dass Sie weiterhin die Augen für den Schutz und die Unterstützung von Minderheiten unseres syrischen Volkes öffnen.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, Menschenrechtsanwältin
Menschenrechtsanwältin und Preisträgerin des Sacharow-Preises„Wir befinden uns hier im Iran mitten in einem zivilgesellschaftlichen Kampf gegen die Todesstrafe, für das Recht der Frauen auf freie Wahl ihrer Kleidung sowie für die Meinungsfreiheit.“
