On the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, on 10 December 2015, the President of the Congress, Jean-Claude Frécon, stated that “this day is not only a commemoration, but it is also a stark reminder for us all, because humanity is still far from the ideal it set for itself in 1948”. He addressed in particular the difficult nature of the current situation. “The economic crisis, the refugee crisis, and terrorist threats are all challenges which, if we are not careful, could endanger human rights and fundamental freedoms. Democracy cannot be alive and well without respect for human rights” he added. He also recalled that the work of the Congress for the coming years will focus on the implementation of concrete actions of awareness-raising and support for local elected representatives, in light of the goals set by the Graz Declaration, adopted in May 2015 after the International Forum 'focusing on human rights'.
