Humanistische Union, Bundesgeschäftsstelle

• Room: 0205 | Vorderhaus

• Tel.: 030-20450256

• Fax: 030-20450257

• Web: www.humanistische-union.de

• E-Mail: info@humanistische-union᎐de

  
  

Office hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 10 am to 12 am and 2 pm to 4 pm

The humanistic Union e.V. is an independent, nationwide civil rights organization. Since its founding in 1961, it advocates for the protection and assertation of human and civil rights. In the centre stands the respect for human dignity. The HU is committed to the right of self-fulfilment and opposes any disproportionate restriction of this right by the state, business and churches.

Since 1961, the HU has initiated and shaped many political disputes: Resistance to emergency laws, prohibitions, census and wiretapping, criticism of § 218, and addressing the living conditions in prisons and psychiatric departments. Initiatives from the HU among other things were included in the draft of the first anti-discrimination law. After the events of 9/11, the HU, in a broad coalition with numerous civil rights organizations, opposed the restriction of fundamental rights from the anti-terror laws.

What does the humanistic Union want?

§ Preservations of the rule of law even in times of crisis§ Criminal policy, which des not only rely on prisons§ Decent prison conditions§ Abolition of intelligence services§ Strengthening data protection§ comprehensive information and access rights§ more direct democratic participation rights§ Strengthening patient rights and self-determination at the end of life§ equal rights of all religious and philosophical communities§ Abolition of state church privileges

What does the humanistic Union do?

The HU informs about civil rights violations, is committed actively for better basic rights standards and gives energy to open discussion, for example, through symposiums, discussion events, and publications. When parliaments and governments are concerned about civil rights, the HU comes forward with statements and opinions.

Since 1992 the HU has engaged with the House of Democracy and Human Rights. Furthermore, it cooperates with other organizations and other social groups in numerous associations in Germany and at the European level. For example, the HU is a member in the Forum on Human Rights and a supporter of the European Civil Liberties Network (ECLN).

The HU is co-editor of the annual Fundamental Rights Report (in the Fischer Taschenbuchverlag) and the predecessor – Zeitschrift für Bürgerrechte und Gesellschaftspolitik. The HU reports its work on a quarterly basis via the association magazine Mitteilungen.

With the regularly awarded “Fritz Bauer Prize”, the Humanist Union honours people who are particularly committed to justice. Prize-winners included Susanne von Pacyensky (2004), Regine Hildebrant (2000), Günter Grass (1997), Ossip K. Flechtheim (1986), Peggy Parnass (1980), and Heinrich Hannover (1973).

Current and Planned Projects:

§ Guidance on the application of the Freedom of Information Act at the federal level§ Preparation of a bill to legalize active euthanasia§ Actions against the data retention§ Berlin conversations about the relationship between state, religion and world views