Living Open Archive

Living Open ArchiveLOA

00:00:00

00:00:00

Discover ECCHR’s extensive expertise in legal human rights work through the Living Open Archive. The archive weaves together diverse stories and multiple voices in the struggle to expose structural injustice and hold state and non-state actors accountable for human rights violations. Explore the links and parallels between our cases and their connection to broader social, political and historical contexts.

A new world in the shell of the old - An evening with ECCHR and guests at Spore Initiative, Berlin

What does it mean to imagine a different future in a world shaped by systems of inequality, exploitation, and growing authoritarianism? And how can we begin building that future within the structures that exist today? These questions formed the core of the public evening event A New World in the Shell of the Old – Radical Imagination and Visions of a Just Future, hosted at Spore Initiative in Berlin.

Overshadowed: Escalation of Settler Attacks and Israels West Bank Annexation

Overshadowed: Escalation of Settler Attacks and Israels West Bank Annexation

In this episode, listen to the recording of an ECCHR evening event held on May 4th, 2026, as global attention shifted to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran while the West Bank saw an unprecedented surge in settler violence. Dalia Qumsieh, Palestinian human rights lawyer and director of the Balasan Initiative for Human Rights, joins Chantal Meloni, senior legal advisor at ECCHR, to discuss these developments.

Only available in English.

... from Damascus ❽

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Syria has faced new challenges: Back in Damascus, I report on the latest political, economic, and social developments.

On Justice #8 | Environmental Justice and Rights of Nature

On Justice #8 | Environmental Justice and Rights of Nature

The eighth edition of the HAU discourse series “On Justice” focuses on the debate surrounding the potential—but also the limitations—of legalizing ecological issues.

... from Kyiv ❶

Despite years of suffering, countless losses, and largely empty political promises, true peace still seems painfully out of reach for Ukrainians. Read our first letter from Kyiv.

Restitution and a new ethics of relationships

Restitution and a new ethics of relationships

Bénédicte Savoy, Art historian and professor at the Technical University of Berlin discusses with ECCHR Secretary General Wolfgang Kaleck about the restitution of stolen colonial art and her criticism of the debate surrounding the Humboldt Forum in Berlin.

Justice for Afrin

Since 2018, armed militias have been committing international crimes in Afrin in northern Syria with Turkey’s support. With Syrians for Truth and Justice, we filed a criminal complaint with the German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. This dossier provides an overview of the political and military situation in Afrin since 2011, and includes the complaint and other materials.

... from Damascus ❼

I write to you again from Damascus after an absence of more than five months. Today, however, I return with important developments on the path toward transitional justice.

Lighthouses of resistance

This spotlight examines the ongoing struggle for justice by Argentine civil society actors and their transnational allies. It also sheds light on the deep-rooted connections between the far right in Argentina and in Germany, showing how these links continue to undermine the pursuit of justice and accountability.

... about our Palestine casework ❺

We have submitted an urgent application seeking to ensure that no further tank transmissions are delivered from Germany to Israel before the German Consitutional Court has ruled. At its core lies the question: Is Germany fulfilling its constitutional duty to protect – also vis-à-vis people outside its own territory?

❷ Challenging Corporate Power

In Challenging Corporate Power, Gearóid Ó Cuinn and Miriam Saage-Maaß, both human rights lawyers, discuss how to use human rights litigation to challenge corporate power.

... from Damascus ❻

December 2025. We started to notice the signs of preparations for the December 8 celebrations right from the beginning of the month. Along with receiving many invitations to various events - both official and from civil society - street vendors selling the revolution’s flag reappeared, especially in large numbers at Umayyad Square, which had been a gathering place for Syrians’ celebrations for many months after December 8.

Migration narratives: Trapped in racism and colonialism?

Migration narratives: Trapped in racism and colonialism?

In this episode, listen to the live recording of an evening event hosted by Hanaa Hakiki from ECCHR’s Border Justice team as she is joined by guests to explore how deeply narratives on migration are still trapped in racism and colonialism.

Only available in English.

Human Rights in Times of Crisis Resistance and concrete utopias

The global struggle for human rights needs deep reflection and new approaches. This is why in 2022, ECCHR organized a series of seven online events, with partners from around the world.

❶ Beyond Limitations

In their conversation entitled “Beyond Limitations,” artist and activist Tomás Saraceno and human rights lawyer Wolfgang Kaleck discuss possibilities for collaboration between their respective fields.

... about our Palestine casework ❹

We are supporting a Palestinian plaintiff from Gaza in his constitutional complaint against German arms exports to Israel. We have collaborated with Palestinian artist Fuad Alymani to amplify his voice.

... from Damascus ❺

November 2025. Since my last letter on 29 August, many developments have taken place in my professional life. Only a few hours after sending the final draft to my colleagues at the ECCHR for publication, Decree No. (149) was announced, naming the members of the Transitional Justice Commission – 13 in total, including myself.

... about our Palestine casework ❸

November 2025. Dismissed – but the fight continues. Our work in challenging unlawful arms exports.

On Justice #6 | Gaza, International Law and the Discourse of Genocide

On Justice #6 | Gaza, International Law and the Discourse of Genocide

International experts, legal scholars, historians, and human rights organizations, including the UN, describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, as the violence and destruction since Hamas’ attack have reached an exceptional scale. The discussion at HAU seeks to engage in Germany’s ongoing debate over the term by analyzing the facts on the ground and situating them within the history of genocides since the Holocaust.

Only available in English.

On Justice #5 | Impunity in Uncertain Times

On Justice #5 | Impunity in Uncertain Times

Serious human rights violations cause lasting harm, and impunity denies victims truth, justice, and reparations. Only by confronting the past can societies heal and build a more just future.

Only available in English.

... from Damascus ❹

August 2025. I never expected that my decision to stay in Damascus and work from there during the summer months would bring with it such immense challenges. Living through days when temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius, with electricity available only for a few scattered hours, water cut off for days, and constant news of massacres and grave human rights violations against my friends and their families in Suweida – under such conditions, maintaining any sense of balance and managing to do work at an acceptable level becomes an almost impossible task.

… from Damascus ❸

June 2025. Events in Syria have been accelerating at a rapid pace, but there is no doubt that May was a surprising, momentous month: after 14 years of economic turmoil in Syria, the sanctions were finally lifted. The Syrian streets had not witnessed celebrations like those on Tuesday, May 13, since the fall of the Assad regime in December of last year.

Tödliche Algorithmen: Drohnen und KI in der Kriegsführung

Tödliche Algorithmen: Drohnen und KI in der Kriegsführung

AI and drones are reshaping modern warfare, challenging conventional forms of military power and raising major concerns about accountability and human rights - a conversation with Andreas Schüller and Prof. Jutta Weber.

Only available in German.

Pathways to Justice for Ukraine

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has prompted a debate on how to best address international crimes and hold those responsible for them to account. In our dossier, we explore potential options for pursuing this at the national and international level, as well as outline our approaches for strengthening international criminal law.

… from Damascus ❷

March 2025. Behind the different grievances and interpretations of events, alignments and entrenchments have begun to emerge, turning social media into a real battleground.

… from Damascus ❶

February 2025. One month after the fall of the Assad regime. The celebrations are still in full swing. Happy and relaxed faces can be seen everywhere. The people on the streets of Damascus are more tolerant and polite than ever, full of confidence in a better future.

... about our Palestine casework ❷

October 2025. A Palestinian from Gaza Seeks justice in Germany's top court. Constitutional complaint against German arms exports.

... about our Palestine casework ❶

September 2025. A verdict from Karlsruhe strengthens our lawsuits against weapons exports.

On Justice #4 | Umbau des Rechtsstaats von rechts

On Justice #4 | Umbau des Rechtsstaats von rechts

The fourth edition of the HAU discourse series “On Justice” addresses the erosion of democratic principles by right-wing actors and strategies for defending the liberal constitutional state.

Only available in German.

On Justice #3 | My Body, My Rights

On Justice #3 | My Body, My Rights

The right to physical self-determination is far from being enshrined in law everywhere—not even in Germany—and is coming under increasing pressure from growing right-wing extremist movements.

International Law and Repression: A conversation with Francesca Albanese

International Law and Repression: A conversation with Francesca Albanese

Francesca Albanese, Fiona Thorp and Chantal Meloni speak about Francescas work as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian Territories. The conversation touches upon challenges regarding litigation within international law and the role of public debate and media.

Only available in English.

On Justice #2 | Autoritäre Versuchungen – mit dem Recht gegen Rechts?

On Justice #2 | Autoritäre Versuchungen – mit dem Recht gegen Rechts?

Ahead of the 2025 federal elections, the future of pluralistic democracy is at stake – in view of growing authoritarian tendencies, basic consensuses such as inclusion, civil liberties and protection from the law are coming under pressure.

Only available in German.

On Justice #1 | Die Versprechen des Völkerrechts

On Justice #1 | Die Versprechen des Völkerrechts

After two world wars, the international community agreed on supranational principles that culminated in the UN Charter of 1945 and laid the foundations for a law-governed world order, human rights and international humanitarian law.

Only available in German.

Staatsräson gegen Grundrechte

Staatsräson gegen Grundrechte

Amira Tamim, Paula Zimmermann and Simin Jawabreh look at Germany´s interpretation of its “reason of state” in the context of Israel's ongoing war crimes in Gaza. What are the political, legal and societal ramifications of this, and what kinds of solidarity alliances are necessary to counter its repressive dimensions?

Only available in German.

On Justice #0 | 75 Jahre Grundgesetz

On Justice #0 | 75 Jahre Grundgesetz

In 1949, the Basic Law was adopted in response to the crimes of National Socialism in order to guarantee “never again” and to protect democracy from being abolished once more.

Only available in German.

Ancestral remains: Why restitution matters

Ancestral remains: Why restitution matters

In this episode ECCHR’s Michael Bader and Sarah Imani, activist Mnyaka Sururu Mboro (Berlin Postkolonial) and curator and artist Anguezomo Nzé Mboulou Mba Bikoro discuss the posthumous right to human dignity, the importance of legal restitution, and creating a space for mourning.

Fighting for 15 years to uphold human rights worldwide

This multimedia piece tracks the emergence and evolution of ECCHR over the last 15 years, with an emphasis on the political and legal interventions that have come to define us as an organization.

Locked In and Out: Decolonizing knowledge

Locked In and Out: Decolonizing knowledge

Writer, activist and ECCHR Advisory Board member Priya Basil sits down with ECCHR General Secretary Wolfgang Kaleck to talk about legacies of colonial and postcolonial injustice and German memory culture.

On artistic and human rights interventions

On artistic and human rights interventions

Lebanese performance and video artist Rabih Mroué speaks with Wolfgang Kaleck about his artistic practice and the impact of violent images for his work

Archival Interventions – The untold stories of (colonial) wars

Archival Interventions – The untold stories of (colonial) wars

In this episode, author Maaza Mengiste and artist and photographer Laura Fiorio sit down with Wolfgang Kaleck to talk about Italy's colonial history in Ethiopia.

Forensis: Forging a political practice

Forensis: Forging a political practice

Eyal Weizman, founding director of the research agency Forensic Architecture and its Berlin based sister agency Forensis, and ECCHR General Secretary Wolfgang Kaleck speak about the new joint initiative between Forensic Architecture, Forensis and ECCHR: Investigative Commons.

Rupture and Reckoning: Guantánamo Turns 20

Still in operation today, Guantánamo remains a global symbol of injustice and calls into question the viability of the global human rights system. In this dossier, we are reflecting on the legacy of the notorious detention camp and US counter-terrorism politcy two decades after 9/11.

The blood of the dawn with Claudia Salazar Jiménez and Karina Theurer

The blood of the dawn with Claudia Salazar Jiménez and Karina Theurer

This episode is about the debut novel The Blood of the Dawn — La Sangre de la Aurora by Claudia Salazar Jiménez. Salazar Jiménez and Karina Theurer discuss the enduring consequences of gender discrimination, using fiction as a tool for visibility and for sensitizing us to the suﬀering of others.

Visuals of violence with Mark Sealy and Wolfgang Kaleck

Visuals of violence with Mark Sealy and Wolfgang Kaleck

In this episode, curator and cultural historian Mark Sealy and Wolfgang Kaleck talk about the challenges of visual representation and different ways of dealing with photography produced in colonial and postcolonial contexts.

On artistic and human rights interventions with Christina Varvia and Wolfgang Kaleck

On artistic and human rights interventions with Christina Varvia and Wolfgang Kaleck

In this episode, we will look at several of Forensic Architecture’s investigations and working methodologies in Gaza, Germany, and Cameroon with architect and former deputy director of Forensic Architecture, Christina Varvia, and ECCHR General Secretary Wolfgang Kaleck.

Decolonizing the camera in practice

Decolonizing the camera in practice

Guatemalan visual artist Ixmucané Aguilar joins Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR general secretary, to discuss her documentary photography practice exploring the enduring effects of German colonialism in Namibia and the genocide against the Herero and Nama.

On artistic and human rights interventions with Fred Ritchin and Wolfgang Kaleck

On artistic and human rights interventions with Fred Ritchin and Wolfgang Kaleck

Fred Ritchin, photographer and dean emeritus of the International Center of Photography, and ECCHR General Secretary Wolfgang Kaleck discuss the role graphic images have in photojournalism to raise political awareness.

... about our Palestine casework ❻

Without legal protection, fundamental rights are worthless: The ruling against Abed J. and the limits of German arms export controls.

LOA is part of ECCHR. We are a human rights organization that relies solely on independent funding and donations from its community. Support our work with a donation!

Thank you for supporting our work for a world free from exploitation, fortressed borders, and torture. Receive regular information and updates in our ECCHR newsletter—subscribe now!