12 March 2026: Discussion/Lecture : Decolonise Law

The three-part film series ‘Decolonise Law’ shows how international law has been used since the beginning of colonialism to secure domination and reproduce power relations in many areas.

Three 20-minute documentary films will be shown. They were conceived by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung in cooperation with the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and produced by VAYM Productions. Since the 16th century, the violence and arbitrariness of colonisation has been formally legitimised in international law, thereby rendering it ‘invisible’ as an injustice. It is therefore urgently necessary to come to terms with the colonial past and make visible the racist traces it has left in the law in order to achieve long-term decolonisation of the law.

With these films, the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation aims to raise awareness of the far-reaching and complex consequences of colonialism and, at the same time, to highlight possible solutions for combating persistent inequalities.
In the subsequent panel discussion, the director and experts from the films will discuss, among other things, the consequences of the continuation of colonial legal relationships and their perpetuation through economic trade agreements in Africa. Post-colonial power relations, anti-fascist economic policy and legal consequences will also be addressed.

Panelists:

• Mary Kambo, Kenya Human Rights Commission
• Prof. Dr. Joshua Castellino, Brunel University of London
• Yvonne Sonyaa App, VAYM productions
• Moderator: Hannah Franzki, European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)

An event in cooperation with ECCHR.

Simultaneous German-English translation will be provided.

The Spore Initiative building is wheelchair accessible. An awareness team will be on hand to provide support during the event.

The book accompanying the films: Dekoloniale Rechtskritik und Rechtspraxis. Available from the Federal Agency for Civic Education for 5 euros.