How can international human rights be defended at a time when their relevance is increasingly and aggressively denied? In their jointly authored book “Menschenrechte nach der Zeitenwende. Gründe für mehr Selbstbewusstsein”, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heiner Bielefeldt (FAU CHREN) and Prof. Dr. Daniel Bogner (University of Fribourg) present robust arguments for democratic confidence and trust in human rights.
The fundamental crisis of the rule-based international order that we are currently witnessing is by no means downplayed in the book. The authors argue that this only underscores the need to boldly foreground the inner strength and persuasive power of the human rights concept.
Structured as a dual essay between Heiner Bielefeldt and Daniel Bogner, the book aims to push back against prevailing fatalism. According to the authors, the future prospects of human rights critically depend on dismantling Eurocentric interpretations and genuinely embracing human rights universalism. Drawing on normative reflections and political observations, Bielefeldt and Bogner deliver a powerful yet reflective defense.
Questions on the New Book: in Conversation with Heiner Bielefeldt
Prof. Heiner Bielefeld (Foto: FAU/Harald Sippel).
We spoke with Prof. Bielefeldt about the content of “Menschenrechte nach der Zeitenwende. Gründe für mehr Selbstbewusstsein” (Human Rights after the Turning Point: Reasons for Greater Confidence).
The title—and especially the subtitle—seems intended to give courage and spread optimism in bleak times. Is that your aim?
In part. We do wish to inspire courage. But recklessly spreading optimism would be irresponsible. The crisis of human rights is extremely grave and deep. Rather than preaching optimism, we want to show why it is essential to fight politically for human rights—right now. That requires centring the compelling power of universal liberty. Progress toward democracy and human rights is not automatic. Their future depends entirely on our political engagement.
Why use the term Zeitenwende (turning point)?
We don’t want to overuse the term—but it signals that the global situation is undergoing a fundamental shift. The issue is no longer individual regulation breaches; entire frameworks—state sovereignty, humanitarian conflict principles, and human rights—are being swept aside. It’s crucial to grasp what’s at stake.
What grounds do you have for confidence that change is possible?
Confidence doesn’t rely on rosy forecasts, which we don’t have. Its sources go deeper. Human rights is a strong concept—ambitious yet simple in principle. It calls for organizing co-existence on our shared planet around respect and solidarity, supported by global infrastructure. This vision resonates across cultures. I fuel my confidence with memories of courageous individuals—often under repressive regimes like in Vietnam—risking much to defend dignity, freedom, and equality.
Yet authoritarian regimes now seem politically ascendant. Isn’t the outlook bleak?
Indeed. Each day we witness destruction driven by autocrats worldwide. It can be deeply depressing. All the more reason not to fall into political despair. We must not overlook authoritarian weaknesses nor underestimate democracies grounded in human rights.
What are typical weaknesses of authoritarian regimes?
Single-party systems face intense pressure to perform. They must constantly stage an image of infallibility. That façade can crack under stress, and dissent—though hidden—will be aggressively suppressed. Propaganda and surveillance dominate. Ironically, the fear they sow turns back on them. By contrast, human rights-based democracies—with independent media, courts, and active opposition—cultivate political learning and can remain connected to reality.
With talk that the political “West” is weakened, can international human rights still prevail?
The usual equation of human rights with “Western values” has always been problematic—historically simplistic and systemically misleading. Human rights had to be fought for even in Europe. Their future requires dismantling Eurocentric narratives and genuinely embracing universality. Indigenous rights—championed by Latin America—offer a powerful case in point.
Europe often takes responsibility; is that correct?
Yes—Europe, and Germany in particular, bear international responsibility. But we need a non‑Eurocentric Europe—one that engages globally. Support for the International Criminal Court, through cooperation across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, shows that political alliances aren’t confined to a “Western” club.
What can each of us do personally to protect human rights?
Human rights thrive in civic society. UN mechanisms depend on NGO input. Despite dysfunction in the Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council benefits from NGO contributions (e.g., Amnesty International). Such activism is a crucial counter to autocratic regimes. Strengthening and supporting human rights NGOs matters more than ever.
How can international human rights be defended at a time when their relevance is increasingly and aggressively denied? In their jointly authored book “Menschenrechte nach der Zeitenwende. Gründe für mehr Selbstbewusstsein”, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heiner Bielefeldt (FAU CHREN) and Prof. Dr. Daniel Bogner (University of Fribourg) present robust arguments for democratic confidence and trust in human rights.
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Conversation with Prof. Bielefeldt | Further information & bibliographic details
A Rousing Defense of Human Rights
The fundamental crisis of the rule-based international order that we are currently witnessing is by no means downplayed in the book. The authors argue that this only underscores the need to boldly foreground the inner strength and persuasive power of the human rights concept.
Structured as a dual essay between Heiner Bielefeldt and Daniel Bogner, the book aims to push back against prevailing fatalism. According to the authors, the future prospects of human rights critically depend on dismantling Eurocentric interpretations and genuinely embracing human rights universalism. Drawing on normative reflections and political observations, Bielefeldt and Bogner deliver a powerful yet reflective defense.
Questions on the New Book: in Conversation with Heiner Bielefeldt
We spoke with Prof. Bielefeldt about the content of “Menschenrechte nach der Zeitenwende. Gründe für mehr Selbstbewusstsein” (Human Rights after the Turning Point: Reasons for Greater Confidence).
The title—and especially the subtitle—seems intended to give courage and spread optimism in bleak times. Is that your aim?
In part. We do wish to inspire courage. But recklessly spreading optimism would be irresponsible. The crisis of human rights is extremely grave and deep. Rather than preaching optimism, we want to show why it is essential to fight politically for human rights—right now. That requires centring the compelling power of universal liberty. Progress toward democracy and human rights is not automatic. Their future depends entirely on our political engagement.
Why use the term Zeitenwende (turning point)?
We don’t want to overuse the term—but it signals that the global situation is undergoing a fundamental shift. The issue is no longer individual regulation breaches; entire frameworks—state sovereignty, humanitarian conflict principles, and human rights—are being swept aside. It’s crucial to grasp what’s at stake.
What grounds do you have for confidence that change is possible?
Confidence doesn’t rely on rosy forecasts, which we don’t have. Its sources go deeper. Human rights is a strong concept—ambitious yet simple in principle. It calls for organizing co-existence on our shared planet around respect and solidarity, supported by global infrastructure. This vision resonates across cultures. I fuel my confidence with memories of courageous individuals—often under repressive regimes like in Vietnam—risking much to defend dignity, freedom, and equality.
Yet authoritarian regimes now seem politically ascendant. Isn’t the outlook bleak?
Indeed. Each day we witness destruction driven by autocrats worldwide. It can be deeply depressing. All the more reason not to fall into political despair. We must not overlook authoritarian weaknesses nor underestimate democracies grounded in human rights.
What are typical weaknesses of authoritarian regimes?
Single-party systems face intense pressure to perform. They must constantly stage an image of infallibility. That façade can crack under stress, and dissent—though hidden—will be aggressively suppressed. Propaganda and surveillance dominate. Ironically, the fear they sow turns back on them. By contrast, human rights-based democracies—with independent media, courts, and active opposition—cultivate political learning and can remain connected to reality.
With talk that the political “West” is weakened, can international human rights still prevail?
The usual equation of human rights with “Western values” has always been problematic—historically simplistic and systemically misleading. Human rights had to be fought for even in Europe. Their future requires dismantling Eurocentric narratives and genuinely embracing universality. Indigenous rights—championed by Latin America—offer a powerful case in point.
Europe often takes responsibility; is that correct?
Yes—Europe, and Germany in particular, bear international responsibility. But we need a non‑Eurocentric Europe—one that engages globally. Support for the International Criminal Court, through cooperation across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, shows that political alliances aren’t confined to a “Western” club.
What can each of us do personally to protect human rights?
Human rights thrive in civic society. UN mechanisms depend on NGO input. Despite dysfunction in the Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council benefits from NGO contributions (e.g., Amnesty International). Such activism is a crucial counter to autocratic regimes. Strengthening and supporting human rights NGOs matters more than ever.
Further information
Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Heiner Bielefeldt
FAU Senior Professor of Human Rights
FAU CHREN; Institute of Political Science
Prof. Dr. Daniel Bogner
Chair of Moral Theology and Ethics
Faculty of Theology, University of Fribourg
Bibliographic & Availability Details
Title: Menschenrechte nach der Zeitenwende. Gründe für mehr Selbstbewusstsein
Authors: Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Heiner Bielefeldt & Prof. Dr. Daniel Bogner
Publisher: Herder, 2025
Publication Date: 14.07.2025
ISBN: 978-3-451-10275-2
Availability: The book is available in German language via Herder Verlag: Menschenrechte nach der Zeitenwende. Gründe für mehr Selbstbewusstsein. Verlagsseite Herder.
(FAU CHREN/nw)