According to a report released by Amnesty International on Tuesday, Germany faces a critical juncture concerning human rights. The report suggests that both authoritarian and democratic governments around the world are increasingly disregarding human rights, and that the international legal order itself is being challenged.
In its assessment of Germany, Amnesty criticizes the federal government for prioritizing economic and security interests over international law and for frequently choosing silence when resistance is necessary. The organization notes that freedom of speech and assembly in particular has come under strain due to actions taken against protests supporting Palestine. Julia Duchrow, Amnesty International’s German Secretary General, stated that in 2026, “Germany stands at a crossroads: either the federal government finally commits itself consistently to the rule of law and human rights-or it makes itself complicit with authoritarian and criminal regimes”.
The report highlights that people in Iran face threats from two directions. First, there is the violation of international law by the war waged by the US and Israel, which disregards civilian life. Secondly, citizens are threatened by the brutal suppression of protests and arbitrary detentions domestically. Duchrow added, “The new US government has started a wildfire. Trump’s policies are a systematic attack on human rights and give energy to forces worldwide that disregard human rights”.
The US government is criticized in the report for undermining international rules and institutions by imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court. Nevertheless, the work of the ICC remains a source of hope, as it documents human rights violations and holds those responsible accountable. Amnesty urges the German federal government to take a clear stand against violations of international law, to protect the space for civil society action, and to uphold the principles of the rule of law.
