Rama Yade, former French Secretary of State for Human Rights and for Sports under the Sarkozy government, introduced the fifth debate which addressed the situation of human rights in Europe, its coexistence with democratic security requirements and, in particular, the impact of the rise of terrorists activities.

Pursuing national interests and protecting human rights have sometimes been perceived as conflicting priorities, but for Rama Yade, human rights must always come to the fore. Yet the history of human rights is not the history of a victorious march through time, it is a daily battle, sometimes against tradition, often against the established order, and always against religious or cultural ignorance and prejudices. This is why human rights defenders, sometimes courageously acting alone, play an admirable role in assuring democratic security.

Yade sees that progress has been made, with the development of the United Nations and international legal frameworks which have spelled the death knell for impunity claims by leaders who relegated human rights to second place.

According to Rama Yade, secure democracies mean respect for human rights and we must keep our confidence in this, even in times of crisis.

Rama Yade is the author of many books, including: ‘Lettre à la jeunesse’, Ed. Grasset 2010, ‘Plaidoyer pour une instruction publique’, Éd. Grasset, 2011 and ‘Carnets du pouvoir’ 2006-2013, Éd. du Moment, 2013, ‘Anthologie regrettable du machisme en politique’, Ed. du Moment, 2015.

  Video recording of debate

  Watch interview for Council of Europe TV journal

  Rama Yade's biography