Too queer to believe? Published: 22 December 2016 Where are the interfaces between religion, faith, and LGBTIQ rights? This question was discussed at the conference “Too queer to believe – Religion, social activism and LGBTI rights” which the Heinrich Böll Foundation held in Berlin in conjunction with the Turkish NGO Kaos GL at October 5th, 2016. By Caroline Ausserer
South Africa: “Strengthening democracy is about building trust in the system” Published: 20 December 2016 Like nobody else Thuli Madonsela stands for the compliance of constitutional maxims in South Africa. In her seven years in the office as “public protector”, she repeatedly uncovered various abuses of powers by the political elite. We talked to the winner of this year’s German Africa Award. By Maria Kind and Layla Al-Zubaidi
Discussion Paper: "Civil society threatened all over the world" Published: 21 February 2017 Numerous non-governmental organisations and networks have worked on a discussion paper about the restrictions for civil society all over the world.
Shrinking spaces in the Western Balkans Published: 15 December 2016 Without civic engagement and participation, democratization cannot succeed. This publication sheds light on the complex mechanisms of shrinking spaces in the Western Balkans, provides analyses, and develops adequate countermeasures. pdf
“Live as you wish, but make sure other people do not know” Published: 8 December 2016 Discrimination in the healthcare system, exclusion from society, limited job opportunities - in South Caucasus LGBTI persons are still victim of discrimination and violation. An owerview of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. By Edita Badasyan
Focus on human rights for LGBTI people: Ten years of the Yogyakarta Principles Published: 13 December 2016 In 2006 an human rights experts launched the “Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity” in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We have talked to some of the co-authors about the significance of the document and its future.
The Civic Charter: Another Passing Fad or the Missing Link? Published: 10 November 2016 A Keynote on the Civic Charter at its Launch at the Global Perspectives Conference on 26th October 2016 in Berlin. By Arthur Larok
Maxim Anmeghichean: "The principles have put engagement with the UN on a totally different footing" Published: 3 November 2016 Ten years after the creation of the Yogyakarta Principles, “Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”, Caroline Ausserer speaks with Maxim Anmeghichean, one of the experts that elaborated them. By Caroline Ausserer
The Future of Civic Space: Towards a Re-solidarisation and Re-politisation of Civil Society Published: 27 October 2016 Civil society space is under attack worldwide. In her welcoming speech to the Global Perspectives Conference, Barbara Unmüßig urged 160 representatives of civil society organisations from around the globe to stand in solidarity with each other and to put the issue of shrinking and closing spaces back on the political agenda. By Barbara Unmüßig
Civil society faces pressure worldwide: Civic charter published Published: 27 October 2016 Today the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the International Civil Society Centre, and numerous civil society organizations from around the world presented the Civic Charter. In a growing number of countries, civil society has increasingly less room to maneuver.
