Heiko Maas: 'Free expression is essential to democracy'

Germany's Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas:

"'Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion' – everyone, worldwide!

Yet still – perhaps even more now than ever – freedom of expression is one of the most frequently violated human rights. All the more reason for us to stand up for it. The right to freedom of expression and information is essential for a free and democratic state.

Freedom of expression is also the basis for other human rights. For example, free elections can only take place if all citizens can inform themselves freely and comprehensively."

Maas' statement is a contribution to Deutsche Welle's #Article19ForAll project. The goal of the campaign is to mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights - and more specifically Article 19, which defined free expression and access to information as basic human rights - by collecting voices on the topic from around the world.