The appeal was presented on the occasion of the founding of the Alliance for Open-mindedness, Solidarity, Democracy and the Rule of Law on February 11, 2016 in Berlin. In the joint appeal, the Alliance calls for, among other things, improved educational opportunities as the key to successful social integration, a refugee policy that guarantees fair asylum procedures, as well as sufficient financial provision and fair opportunities for participation for all people in Germany. In view of the current challenges, particularly in connection with the growing number of refugees in Europe, the appeal calls on citizens in the Federal Republic of Germany to uphold fundamental democratic values and social cohesion and to resolutely oppose hatred and intolerance. The appeal emphasizes the importance of fundamental rights, which include freedom of belief and conscience and the right to physical integrity as well as equal rights for men and women, the ban on discrimination and freedom of expression and art. The Alliance’s appeal is also supported by the Humanist Association of Germany. “Solidarity with people oppressed by war and hardship, unconditional respect for and defense of universal human rights and the promotion of objective and solution-oriented discussions about the prerequisites for peaceful coexistence for all are among the central principles and values of our humanistic view of life. We reject xenophobia and violence against innocently persecuted people and refugees, as well as nationalist, racist and other inhumane ideas. We therefore very much welcome the emergence of the Alliance for Open-mindedness, which is now growing into one of the broadest civil society alliances in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany,” said Frieder Otto Wolf, President of the Humanist Association of Germany, yesterday. Wolf went on to say that all citizens and all civil society organizations are called upon to protect the dignity and rights of every person who strives for peaceful coexistence and solidarity. “If this can be recognized and put into practice by the majority of people in Germany, then together we can overcome the great challenges we face today,” said Frieder Otto Wolf. State elections will be held in several federal states on Sunday. The fundamental right to vote is one of the most important elements of democracy and one of the most effective ways of co-determining political developments. As a supporting organization of the Alliance for Open-mindedness, the Humanist Association of Germany hereby calls on its members and all people who sympathize with the convictions and values represented by the association to vote and thus become active for the goals and principles agreed in the appeal.
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