In defense of dignity: Seyla Benhabib’s Arendtian spirit in dark times Published: 3 December 2025 In 2025, the Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought was awarded to Seyla Benhabib, a philosopher whose life’s work confronts one of the most pressing questions of our time: what social, political, and moral conditions are necessary for human beings to recognize one another as equals. Gaye İlhan Demiryol
Tunisia's migration policy: the ambiguous consequences of democratization Published: 13 January 2022 Commentary In Tunisia, the first decade of democratization did not lead to an expansion of migrant rights. Despite initial attempts to replace the restrictive policies inherited from the authoritarian regime of Ben Ali, domestic and international forces ultimately put breaks on liberal migration reform. Katharina Natter
On the border: Greece’s response to Afghan asylum seekers Published: 25 August 2021 Commentary Just days after Taliban violently seized control of Afghanistan, the Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, has warned of a repeat of the situation in 2015 and announced that Greece will not be the “gateway to Europe for illegal Afghan migrants”. Neda Noraie-Kia
“2015 must never be allowed to happen again”: that is the mantra Published: 24 August 2021 Commentary This short sentence is all you need to understand why the German government committed an error of judgment concerning Afghanistan. An error of judgment that kills people every day – and democracy throughout the world as well, by the way. Dr. Ines Kappert
Three reasons why the Polish government’s war on human freedoms is also your problem Published: 3 June 2021 Commentary Modern-day authoritarians will boil you like a frog, whilst slowly turning up the heat. As a citizen of a democratic state, governed by the rule of law, you won’t suddenly wake up one day to find yourself in an authoritarian regime. It will creep up on you. Hiding behind empty slogans such as “regaining national sovereignty” and “national pride”. Eliza Rutynowska
Anti-Western propaganda against civil society in North Macedonia: The case of CIVIL Published: 3 May 2021 Commentary In North Macedonia, it has become the norm for pro-Russian politicians to attack activists, human rights defenders and journalists with outrageous online behaviour, bullying and threats to our lives. My case, as the President of the human rights organisation CIVIL, is not an exception, but certainly is one of the most illustrative ones. Xhabir Deralla
What Would The Human Rights Action Plan Do? Published: 14 April 2021 Analysis The Human Rights Action Plan revealed by Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan makes bold claims of progress in human rights, freedom of expression, freedom the press and judicial independence. Here an analysis of what the action plan promise us Alican Uludağ
Civil Society Must Be at the Heart of a Renewed Transatlantic Solidarity Published: 8 April 2021 Commentary The new US administration offers the opportunity for a reboot of transatlantic relations, especially in relation to civil society. The calls and grievances expressed by Women’s movements, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the climate generation resonate strongly in both Europe and the US. Dr. Ellen Ueberschär, Nina Locher
Supporting Democracy, Human Rights, and Civil Liberties in Turkey: The Case for the EU Published: 2 November 2021 How can the EU be more effective in its support of democracy, human rights, and civil liberties in Turkey? Özge Zihnioğlu
Centering Democracy and Human Rights in U.S. and EU Turkey Policy Published: 2 November 2021 Turkey presents a powerful case where idealism and pragmatism meet. Pushing for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law not only serves Western ideals but also Western interests. Gönül Tol
Support for democracy and human rights in Turkey: New avenues for closer transatlantic alignment? Published: 2 November 2021 In this dossier, four experts examine the status of Turkey’s relations with the US and the EU and fields of cooperation and conflict from different perspectives.