What does the GFF do?
We want to protect and strengthen fundamental and human rights sustainably over the long term. To this end, we utilize strategic litigation. We focus on three key areas.
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Strong Fundamental Rights for a Vibrant Democracy
We stand alongside those who bring our democracy to life: journalists and whistleblowers, democratically active individuals and organizations, scientists, and artists. When public authorities or government departments systematically violate people's rights or excessively restrict their freedom of action, our lawyers take legal action against them. A resilient democracy depends on the commitment of each individual — and of society as a whole. -
Freedom in the Digital Age
We oppose general suspicion and measures to monitor the population without cause. When the government or corporations intrude disproportionately on our privacy, we take them to court—for example, against the police’s access to highly personal cell phone data without a legal basis. Because democracy needs safe spaces where people can express themselves freely and without surveillance. -
Equal Rights and Social Participation
All people have the right to an adequate standard of living, housing, healthcare, and a life free from discrimination. We therefore take action against laws, government agencies, and companies that discriminate against, exclude, or stigmatize individuals. For without social participation, freedom is of little value and a life of dignity is impossible. We seek landmark decisions that translate the principle of the welfare state into individual and enforceable rights—and enable all people to participate in society.
Channeling our legal expertise into policy through advocacy can change laws for the better. In doing so, we operate independently of any political party.
What does the GFF mean by civil liberties?
Fundamental and human rights are indivisible, and we are committed to protecting the rights of all people.
Classical civil liberties guarantee the indispensable right of every human being to free development of their personality in a state. This is stated for example in the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany.
These are inviolable rights guaranteed by the constitution to all people and citizens vis-à-vis the government. These include
- the right to informational self-determination,
- the right to freedom of information and opinion,
- the right to free speech and freedom of the press.
However, our understanding of freedom rights extends beyond the classical understanding. We also stand up for basic social rights as well as against discrimination. Freedom, as understood in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, knows neither need nor fear. If a person has no roof over their head or cannot go to the doctor or to school, then it is of little help to them that they can freely express their opinion, that they enjoy freedom of movement, or that art is free.
To put it in Hannah Arendt's words: "Only those who can participate in public political life as equals among equals are free". For us, too, freedom is not freedom if it is not equal freedom that is actually available to all.
What is "strategic litigation"?
Individual court cases must — beyond the specific case — resolve an issue of general importance. For example: Are government authorities permitted to conduct blanket searches of cell phones? No. In February 2023, the Federal Administrative Court ruled that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees’ common practice of analyzing refugees’ cell phones was unlawful, following a lawsuit filed by the GFF.
We choose strategic litigation to defend fundamental rights of existential importance, such as freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and informational self-determination—the fundamental right to control one’s own data.
We differ from a law firm in that we are interested in matters of principle. That is why we do not only handle complaints or lawsuits, but also produce scholarly publications, engage in expert discussions, and provide legal opinions. To bypass the lengthy process through the courts, for example, we have developed so-called model decisions for social court judges. A social judge at the Düsseldorf Social Court adopted our template and used it to refer a provision in the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act—which we had criticized—to the Federal Constitutional Court.
And: We keep the public informed about our legal work. This, too, is part of strategic litigation. Through our communications efforts, we raise public awareness of violations of fundamental rights. We highlight legal rights and, in doing so, inform consumers about their options, for example, or support academia and research, such as in the case against the social media platform X.
How does the GFF select its cases?
The GFF goes to court in order to achieve landmarks judgments which strengthen fundamental and human rights. However, we unfortunately cannot take on all cases that people make us aware of.
Our understanding of fundamental and human rights is shaped by the vision of a free and solidarity-based society. This means that we take structural imbalances into account and prioritize social and societal interests over economic ones. We primarily defend citizens against the government. But fundamental rights also shape our relationships with companies and other private actors. When we intervene in these relationships, we do so on the side of groups of people or in defense of fundamental rights that have a weaker lobby: tenants, the free press, and those who are discriminated against and marginalized. In our statement on the constitutionality of Berlin’s rent cap, for example, we argue for affordable housing and consider a restriction on landlords’ freedom of property ownership to be justified.
Who funds the GFF?
The GFF is funded by donations from individuals—in particular, thanks to our supporting members. We also receive grants from sources such as foundations that provide targeted support for specific initiatives and projects.
We view our supporters as partners in shared causes. We do not accept government funding.
Without financial resources, we cannot carry out strategic initiatives. Communication with our supporting members and institutional partners, as well as outreach to future supporters, is therefore of great importance to the GFF. We welcome every new member!
Is the GFF a law firm?
No, GFF coordinates, accompanies and funds court proceedings, but it does not provide legal advice or representation. This task is taken on by lawyers with whom the GFF cooperates.
Who does the GFF partner with?
Together with those directly affected, civil society organizations, and activists, we fight for court rulings so that, together, we can achieve justice for all.
We give those affected a voice and a face. That is also why we are part of strong networks with plaintiffs, external attorneys, activists, and partner organizations such as associations and federations. We believe in the power of alliances to bring about social change. This is particularly important to us when a case involves a social minority.
What is the legal basis for the GFF's work?
Our work is grounded in the fundamental rights enshrined in the German Basic Law, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and internationally recognized human rights. We are called the “Society for Civil Rights” because we are fully committed to human dignity, protection against government overreach and discrimination, the physical integrity of individuals, and the right to an adequate standard of living.
Is the GFF a charity?
According to our bylaws, the GFF directly and exclusively pursues charitable purposes. Donations and contributions by supporting members are hence tax-deductible.
What is the GFF's position on political parties?
The GFF is strictly neutral non-partisan. Our motivation is a cross-party commitment to our democracy, the fundamental rights of our constitution and human rights.
GFF members include members and supporters of the SPD, FDP, Greens, CDU and Left as well as non-party activists.
The GFF welcomes supporting members from the entire democratic spectrum.
How can I support the GFF’s work?
We appreciate your interest! You can become a supporting member or make a donation.
If you are a lawyer and would like to take on cases, we would be happy to hear from you by email (encrypted please) to info@freiheitsrechte.org, PGP/GPG Key ID FA2C23A8 ( Download).
Does the GFF work with corporations and accept corporate donations?
We focus on partnerships with NGOs, activists and the media. Depending on the case, a cooperation with a for-profit partner could be strategically valuable; for example, in order to win corporate plaintiffs for a test case.
In principle, the GFF is also open to donations from companies, but decides on their acceptance on a case-by-case basis, which may in no way lead to any corporate influence. You can find more details in our annual reports.
The GFF does not accept corporate sponsorship.
Is the GFF only active in Germany?
The GFF mainly initiates lawsuits in Germany, but cooperates and networks closely with European and international partners. We will use our experience to support cases for the protection of fundamental and human rights in Europe and worldwide.
What are law clinics and amicus curiae briefs?
Law clinics are university programmes which form a part of legal education. They offer practical experience to students, for example by working on specific cases through research, drafting and client interviews. For example, the GFF works with the Humboldt Law Clinic Fundamental and Human Rights, the Humboldt Law Clinic Internet Law and numerous Refugee Law Clinics to introduce students to fundamental rights issues and enable them to work on high-profile cases at an early stage.
Two students from the Humboldt Law Clinic for Fundamental and Human Rights contributed to our podcast “Grundgesetzlich.” By conducting preliminary legal research on the topics of nonprofit status, whistleblowing within the police force, and forensic commitment, they helped shape three episodes of the podcast.
Amicus curiae briefs are legal opinions as a "friend of the court" that the GFF files in ongoing cases we are not otherwise involved in ourselves. In this way, we support the litigation of partner organisations by providing additional expertise, thereby highlighting the importance of specific cases and legal issues. By doing so, the GFF extends its legal influence far beyond the area it helps shape through its own litigation.
This system of friendly advocacy is not yet established in Germany and large parts of Europe, while it has long been standard in the USA and contributes to a more human rights-friendly jurisprudence. The GFF has set itself the goal of establishing this instrument in the interest of human rights in Germany and Europe as well.
What does the GFF not do?
We do not represent racists. We defend fundamental rights solely with a view to fostering a free and united society.
We do not provide general legal aid—that is, financial support for individuals who cannot afford the costs of a legal dispute. There exists government assistance or so-called pro bono attorneys who offer their expertise and support to those in need free of charge. Although this is sometimes difficult for us, given that there are occasionally dramatic individual cases, we focus on landmark decisions.
Furthermore, we do not initiate petitions, appeals, or campaigns. We join such efforts only in exceptional cases, when they are closely related in substance to one of our strategic cases.