Stefan Schlegel shares how human rights are not a given but a fragile achievement that must be defended anew by each generation. With a deep passion for migration law and a drive to challenge conventional thinking, he explains why Switzerland’s delayed creation of a national human rights body matters now more than ever. From his reflections on bias and resilience to his vision for a more open society, Stefan’s insights offer a compelling look into the evolving landscape of human rights.

He states that human rights aren’t just laws in books—they’re living principles that need the younger generation’s voice, curiosity, and courage to keep evolving and protecting everyone, especially in times of change. He also reflects on ways to overcome bias and the importance of including different perspectives, one of which is by combining law with other fields such as economics and sociology.

Stefan Schlegel is a member of the Swiss Young Academy and the Director of the newly founded Swiss Human Rights Institution in Fribourg which specializes in migration law.