Festakt zur Erich-Maria-Remarque-Friedenspreisverleihung 2025

The British-French lawyer and writer Philippe Sands, KC receives this year's main prize. His topic is international law, which must be preserved as an achievement of the Enlightenment, especially in view of current attacks on the international institutions of international law. The rule of law and the prosecution of "crimes against humanity", for example, are under threat - most recently visible in the US sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Hungary's withdrawal from the ICC a few weeks ago. Philippe Sands makes it clear through his work and publications that it is necessary to stand up for these fundamental rights and work to ensure that they remain part of international jurisdiction.

Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann receive the special prize for their project "Trialoge". The central theme is the Middle East conflict, which has escalated since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip in a way that makes peaceful coexistence seem impossible for the foreseeable future. As part of the project, they talk to pupils about the emotional challenges of this conflict. Intercultural/interreligious communication "at eye level" can be practiced and appreciated through the multi-perspective discussion format, creating a basis for approaching each other in the spirit of human rights and international law.

The evening will be accompanied musically by the Neue Hofkapelle Osnabrück, which will play pieces by Franceschini, Brescianello and Reichenauer using musical instruments from the 17th century.

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