Berlin (dpa) – The new Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance, Luise Amtsberg, believes international commitment is facing major challenges. “Human rights violations are a daily occurrence in many parts of the world. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has further augmented inequalities that have existed for many decades and has presented autocracies in particular with a welcome pretext for curtailing fundamental rights on a permanent basis,” the Green politician announced on Wednesday after her appointment by the Federal Cabinet.
In her new post she will work resolutely for human rights, the protection of human rights defenders being a main focus in this endeavour. She added that it is important to cooperate with partners to advance anticipatory humanitarian assistance in particular. “That means taking action before floods, droughts or storms destroy people’s livelihoods,” Amtsberg said. She will be guided in her political work by a “feminist foreign policy”. “This includes protecting women, girls and marginalised groups, as well as strengthening the role of women in foreign policy,” Amtsberg said. She sees her office as an interface between civil society, parliament and the federal government.