The Second UN Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, marked a milestone in the development and protection of human rights by articulating a commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights in the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action (VDPA). Three decades later, this commitment is under pressure worldwide. Authoritarianism, radical ideologies, a growing number of armed conflicts, and deepening socioeconomic inequalities threaten human rights around the globe.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UN Conference on Human Rights, this book offers a reflection on the relevance and future of the VDPA and includes:

• a thorough analysis of the achievements and setbacks since 1993,
• insights into regional and international human rights systems,
• in-depth examinations of the protection of minorities, refugees, women, children, LGBTQI+ individuals, and other vulnerable groups,
• regional perspectives from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and
• an overview of the role of ombudsman offices and civil society, as well as new concepts such as the right to science.

This fourth volume of the series “Menschen.Rechte!” published by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Fundamental and Human Rights thus addresses the need to firmly anchor human rights within societies and discusses why the future of human rights protection depends heavily on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights cultures, and ensuring meaningful participation at the regional, national, and global levels.

With a solid theoretical foundation yet a practical focus, this book offers valuable insights into the challenges and potential solutions for the protection of human rights in a time of change and debate.