Re-Imagining Human Rights Activism in Kenya and Germany

What have we learnt about organizing human rights work over the last 60 years in Kenya and Germany? How do we envision the human rights movement in the next decade? The event to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Amnesty International presents a forum to answer these questions. 

The panel is made up of a variety of human rights defenders and organizers who have been actively working voluntarily and/or full-time for Amnesty International. They address the theme of the panel from an intergenerational perspective and shed light on questions of activism within the two Amnesty International sections at the national and transnational level. In a first section, the long-time human rights defenders Willy Mutunga, former Chief Justice of Kenya, as well as Barbara Lochbihler, former Secretary General Amnesty International Germany, provide opening remarks on the learning processes of the past regarding human rights activism and organizing. They initially focus on their respective countries, whereas the subsequent discussion with the other two panelists also addresses questions of solidarity and transnational practices – along with issues raised by the audience. In the second section Rachel Mwikali, grassroots human rights organizer, and Mariel Reiss, spokesperson of the Amnesty International Germany working group Kenya/Tanzania/Somalia, each outline three key points they envision as crucial for the human rights movement in the future. Closing remarks will be given by Markus N. Beeko, current Secretary General Amnesty International Germany.

The panel discussion will be held in English. You can stream it both on Facebook (@aikenya) and Zoom. For Zoom, please register here in advance.