We have completely redesigned the digital presence of our humanist magazine “diesseits”. Take a look now!
Art is much more than aesthetics. It can be political, name problems, serve as a mouthpiece for minorities and open up discourse. The new issue of “diesseits” is dedicated to art, artistic freedom and the question of what art can do for humanism – and vice versa. Read it now!
2022 was a challenging year: characterized by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the increasing impact of the climate crisis. We are living in times of change, in which it takes courage and commitment to consistently combine the achievements of the Enlightenment with our practical humanism. Read the greeting at the end of the year from Erwin Kress, Spokesman of the Board of the Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands – Bundesverband.
What is the state of freedom and human rights for humanists, atheists and non-religious people worldwide? Our partner organization Humanists International has published its annual Freedom of Thought Report.
The Legal Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag titled its hearing on November 28 “Assisted dying/suicide prevention”. It is thus following the agenda of the largest inter-party group of MPs around Castellucci to date, who are once again campaigning for a broad ban on assisted suicide, i.e. a new edition of Section 217, which was overturned by the Federal Constitutional Court in 2020. At the same time, the spokespeople have tabled a motion on suicide prevention. With this junction on assisted dying and suicide prevention, the group of MPs is diverting attention from its unconstitutional criminal law provision. In addition, the term “end-of-life care”, which the Legal Affairs Committee has adopted from palliative and hospice care, means that assistance is provided to terminally ill patients when they are dying. In contrast, the draft legislation deals with assisted suicide in any situation. The Humanist Association of Germany (HVD) strongly criticizes this strategic diversionary manoeuvre by Castellucci and others and warns other members of parliament not to be misled by it.
Entertaining days with stimulating topics at the second nationwide presence meeting of the Bertha von Suttner-Studienwerk (BvS). The meeting took place at the HVD’s “House of Humanism” in Berlin.
The poverty rate among children is at its highest level for years. The signatory organizations of the Child Poverty Council, including the Humanist Association of Germany, are calling on federal politicians to take decisive action against child poverty and provide the necessary funds in the federal budget.
The HVD has adopted a comprehensive position paper on the new regulation of abortions outside of criminal law. It advocates a time limit regulation that takes into account the increasing need for protection as the embryo develops. In addition, nationwide basic care for abortions must finally be provided.
In future, the HVD Federal Association will provide regular information about its work in a new newsletter. You can now subscribe to our new information service.
This year, our international partner organization Humanists International is celebrating its 70th anniversary. To mark this occasion, the Amsterdam Declaration, in which the basic principles of humanism are formulated, has been revised and further developed.
