In Europe, human rights are increasingly being called into question. The new Common European Asylum System (CEAS) threatens to make access to legal assistance and fundamental rights almost impossible for thousands of people seeking protection. Now more than ever, we need people who step up — who pay attention, support others, and defend human rights where states seek to restrict them.

But those who stand up for others often carry risks themselves. Just a few days ago, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders again expressed alarm about the treatment of activists in Greece. These developments make one thing clear: human rights are not a given. They must be protected, claimed, and defended every day — by all of us.

Our Initiative: Give Human Rights Defenders a Stage

This Christmas, we are launching a special campaign that calls for exactly that. With a simple, personal gesture, you can show that human rights matter to you — and encourage others to join in.

We have created a postcard that you can:

- download and print, or

- send directly via our online tool.

Whether to friends, colleagues, or family members: every card sent is a message — against indifference and for the defense of human rights.

Our guiding motif is a quote from Erich Kästner’s The Flying Classroom:
“For all the mischief that happens, not only those who do it are to blame, but also those who do not prevent it.”
— Professor Kreuzkamm, in Erich Kästner’s, "The Flying Classroom"

Join our Christmas campaign and help us raise awareness for human rights. Every voice counts. Every postcard makes visible how many people in Europe are ready to stand up for human rights.

Spread the word — and become a human rights defender yourself.

Find out more about our campaign here.