The 2024 Sino-European Human Rights Seminar was held on October 22 in Berlin, Germany, under the theme “Safeguarding Emerging Rights: Perspectives from China and Europe”. The event gathered over 60 representatives from the human rights field, who discussed pressing issues such as economic equality, social rights, and the intersections of digital technology and human rights. Ma Huaide, President of our university and Vice President of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, attended the seminar.
In his opening address, President Ma highlighted the safeguarding of emerging rights as a key global challenge for human rights development. He underscored China’s commitment to protecting citizens’ online security and privacy through the rule of law and to advancing environmental protection and green development. Ma called for international collaboration, advocating for a “humanity-first” approach to emerging rights protection. He also stressed the importance of genuine multilateralism to prevent imbalances in global governance and urged nations to build consensus through openness and fairness, providing joint solutions for global challenges surrounding emerging rights.
Jure Zovko, President of the International Academy of Sciences and Philosophy and Professor of philosophy at the University of Zadar, Croatia, emphasized the need for dialogue between civilizations through a human rights perspective, encouraging mutual learning and efforts to protect humanity and the conditions for human survival.
Stephen Brawer, Director of the Belt & Road Institute in Sweden, argued that survival and development rights are fundamental, noting that without them, the foundation for other human rights protections is weakened. He advocated for respect for cultural diversity and the promotion of equality and dialogue.
that human rights are a global concern best addressed through international cooperation. She commended China’s vision of a “community with a shared future for mankind” and its three major global initiatives, which prioritize the interests of all nations over narrow geopolitical goals.
Jiang Jianxiang, Deputy Council Chair of Central South University and Director of its Human Rights Institute, observed that the diversity of emerging rights and the practices surrounding their protection reflect the cultural diversity of the international community. He underscored the value of strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Sino-European human rights institutions and scholars to advance theoretical research and practical solutions for emerging rights.
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas, Professor at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations in Switzerland, emphasized that peace is the foundation for all rights, noting that without peace, sustainable development cannot be achieved. He urged all countries to support a democratic, fair, and just international order, to address the root causes of conflict, and to genuinely ensure human rights for all.
Founded in 2015, the Sino-European Human Rights Seminar serves as a platform for deepening exchange and cooperation between China and Europe in the human rights field. 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 organizing. The University of Münster and the International Society for Philosophy also collaborated. Zhang Wei, Executive Vice President of our Human Rights Research Institute, attended the seminar as well.
