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Using the law. For a world free from torture, exploitation and fortressed borders.
ECCHR is an independent, non-profit legal and educational organization dedicated to enforcing civil and human rights worldwide. It was founded in 2007 by Wolfgang Kaleck and other international human rights lawyers to protect and enforce the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other human rights declarations and national constitutions, through legal means. Together with our global network, we enforce human rights and make injustice visible. In court and society.
Current cases
ECCHR 2024 Annual Report
Fundamental and human rights are under threat worldwide. Even in democratic states, critical civil society is becoming an ever-greater thorn in the side of authoritarian rulers and is subjected to numerous attacks. We are dedicating this year's ECCHR Annual Report to legal action against the dismantling of human rights. True to the motto: a resistant civil society is the best antidote to authoritarian rule.
EDEKA’s Palm Oil Problem: Failing People, Fueling Violations
Land grabbing, polluted water, and exploitation—EDEKA has failed to take meaningful action on human rights violations in its palm oil supply chain. Now, affected communities in Guatemala, supported by foodwatch and ECCHR, are taking further legal steps under Germany’s Supply Chain Act. Will EDEKA finally be held accountable?
© Clara Calderó, Novact
Spain once again in front of UN Committee Against Torture
February 6 marked the 11th anniversary of the deadly border operation on the beach of El Tarajal. A survivor, who was permanently blinded in one eye during the violent operation carried out by the Guardia Civil, has now filed a complaint against Spain with the UN Committee Against Torture with the support of ECCHR and Irídia.
© Rainer Lück
Constitutional Court reviews Germany's role in U.S. drone strikes
On December 17, Germany's Federal Constitutional Court will examine the country's joint responsibility in connection with deadly US drone attacks in Yemen via the US military base in Ramstein. The hearing will focus on the question: Under what conditions can those affected abroad can sue for the protection of their right to life before German courts?
© Justflix
No war of aggression should go unpunished
Far too often, the international crime of aggression still goes unpunished because it can only be prosecuted within a narrowly defined framework. The International Criminal Court (ICC) must be given the same jurisdiction with regard to this crime as it has for the other three core international crimes. In a joint statement, we call on all states parties to support an urgently needed reform in 2025.
© NTUF/AEFFAA/ECCHR
Two years into the German Supply Chain Act
Almost two years ago, Germany introduced its own supply chain law, and soon the corresponding EU directive will also have to be implemented. Our Q&A and feature provide an overview of the current political debate and show why both laws are urgently needed.
Together with those affected and partners worldwide, ECCHR uses legal means to end impunity for those responsible for torture, war crimes, sexual and gender-based violence, corporate exploitation and fortressed borders.
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Institute for Legal Intervention
Critical Legal Training
At ECCHR, we look to a growing network to share and develop our motivation, knowledge and innovative approaches to conducting human rights work. With this in mind, ECCHR’s Critical Legal Training focuses on training, networking and collaborative learning. To ensure the future of progressive human rights work, we take part in an ongoing learning process together with young lawyers and our international colleagues.
International Summer School on Corporate Accountability & Climate Justice
Together with the Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Tilburg Law School, ECCHR organizes an international summer school for human rights practitioners and advanced students on the topic of Corporate Accountability & Climate Justice.
Investigative Commons reinvents legal investigations
To expand the production of (forensic) evidence to actors beyond state-appointed experts and to use forums other than courts for accountability, we co-founded the Investigative Commons in 2020 together with long-time partner Forensic Architecture and their German sister agency Forensis.
The Institute for Legal Intervention focuses on critical perspectives on the law, particularly concerning power and power dynamics. We aim to make a long-term contribution to societal, legal and political debates through exchange with universities and research institutions, through our training and co-learning activities, through collaboration with our partners worldwide as well as in dialogue with artists and activists.
ECCHR in the media
Human Rights Attorney Wolfgang Kaleck on Double Standards in International Law, from Russia to U.S.
Activist alerts ICC to spyware attack while sharing Libya torture victims’ details
“No safe haven” is not enough – universal jurisdiction and Russia’s war of aggression
The al-Khatib Trial: International Law Judgement on State Torture in Syria
Italy, Libya, and the Failure of State Cooperation with the International Criminal Court in the Elmasry Arrest Case
Could Other Countries Prosecute Soldiers in Gaza?
At the Gates of Fortress Europe: The story of Sajjad Mohammedhasan, who sought asylum but received a year in Lithuania’s border prisons.
Litigating Corporate Responsibility for Climate-Related Loss and Damage
The cement company that paid millions to Isis: was Lafarge complicit in crimes against humanity?
Let’s stay in touch
Publications
Letter from Damascus
After twelve years in exile, human rights lawyer and ECCHR Legal Advisor Joumana Seif was able to return to Syria for the first time. She will be reporting from Syria at regular intervals: How the process of coming to terms with the crimes is progressing, what issues are affecting civil society and how she perceives Damascus after the fall of Assad.
Understanding the EU Forced Labour Regulation
The European Union’s Regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the EU market (otherwise known as the Forced Labour Regulation) entered into force on 13 December 2024. It bans the sale, import and export of goods made using forced labour. As part of our advocacy in this area, we published a model law with the key elements that would create a worker-cen- tred Regulation, analysis on evidentiary standards, an initial position paper, as well as a submission of evidence to the European Commission.
Why climate justice is not just about reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Without a human rights approach, there can be no sustainable fight against the climate crisis. The struggle for climate justice must not be limited to reducing CO 2 emissions: it is about tackling the causes of the crisis itself.
In order to sustainably change the law, a transformation of social power relations is needed – and new laws have to be created. This is why ECCHR initiates and participates in legal and law-related policy debates, organizes public events and publishes on selected topics.
15 Years of Engagement
The existence of human rights is not a foregone conclusion – rather, they must be defended and fought for again and again. The challenges of legal human rights work demand perseverance and have been our central focus since ECCHR’s foundation in 2007. Read our multimedia article “Fighting for 15 years to uphold human rights worldwide.”
