Publications

Unilateral recognition

Motives and consequences of France's recognition of Palestine in the national, European and international context

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will recognise Palestine as a state. He published this announcement on Platform X in three languages: French, English and Arabic. Formal recognition is to take place in September during the next United Nations General Assembly in New York. Nevertheless, this step is already being seen as de facto recognition of Palestine. France will officially recognise Palestine as an independent state – i.e. as an autonomous entity under international law with a claim to sovereignty, probably based on the 1967 borders (West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem). Macron also published a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority. In this letter, Macron emphasises that Abbas had already made certain commitments to him at the beginning of June that made recognition possible – such as disarming Hamas and announcing elections next year.

A Guide to Your Rights: Fundamental Rights and Freedoms in Sierra Leone

This booklet is a practical guide to understanding and claiming human rights in Sierra Leone. While the Constitution guarantees these rights, many citizens struggle to enforce them due to limited awareness or access to information. Developed by the Centre for Human Rights and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Rule of Law Program for Sub-Saharan Africa, the booklet aims to bridge this gap by explaining the meaning, origin, and importance of human rights in a clear and accessible way. By making rights more understandable and actionable, the initiative contributes to strengthening the rule of law and promoting dignity and freedom across the region.

From Burden to Backbone: Rethinking Syrian Refugee Integration in Lebanon’s Economy, A Policy Report

by Carlos Naffah and Nour Alwan

Over a decade after the Syrian conflict triggered one of the largest displacement crises in modern history, Lebanon retains the world’s highest per capita refugee population, even amid the fall of the Assad regime and the effort of the new Syrian government's consolidation of power and nascent reconciliation initiatives.

Morocco’s Middle East Positioning: Balancing Gulf Partnerships and Regional

Check out now our fourth report from Morocco Radar!

Una vida al servicio de la libertad, la democracia y los derechos humanos

Homenaje a Siro del Castillo

La Fundación Konrad Adenauer lamenta profundamente el fallecimiento de Siro del Castillo, destacado opositor cubano, exprisionero político, sindicalista y miembro comprometido del Partido Demócrata Cristiano de Cuba. Su partida representa una pérdida irreparable para la causa democrática en Cuba y para todos aquellos que comparten los ideales de libertad, justicia y dignidad humana.

Independencia judicial: ¿dónde estamos? Caso Querétaro.

Un análisis subnacional para fortalecer la justicia local ante un contexto de reformas.

La Fundación Konrad Adenauer, en conjunto con Juicio Justo, A.C., presenta el estudio Independencia judicial: ¿dónde estamos? Caso Querétaro, como parte de un esfuerzo por promover una discusión pública informada sobre la situación de la justicia local en México.

Law Brief 2025: Bits, Bytes & Bills

Law Brief is a compilation of legal articles produced by KAS For Legal Youth (KASFLY) fellows in the program. As a key learning output, KASFLY fellows are required to author a law brief article. These articles focus on issues of interest of the fellows on debating recent trends, challenges, and issues in the "Digital Law" theme that may provoke key development and threaten the justice system at large.

25th EU-China Summit in Beijing

A Sobering Anniversary

The 25th EU-China Summit on 24 July in Beijing took place under difficult circum-stances: although it marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, there was little sign of enthusiasm in the run-up to the event. The dif-ferences are too great – both in geopolitical terms and in economic and trade policy. As generally expected, no major breakthroughs were achieved on the numerous con-tentious issues. There were hardly any signs of a readjustment of relations, as desired by the EU. Nevertheless, both sides adopted a joint statement on climate issues and agreed to find a solution to the impact of Chinese export controls on rare earths.

Editorial of the issue “New Old Wounds – Colonial Legacy and Foreign Policy”

Not to forget colonial history is a good thing. However, much of what is spread today under the label "postcolonialism" has nothing to do with constructive reappraisal. How should we deal with that phenomenon?

Guatemala faces difficult times

Some light in the tunnel - but more than a sword of Damocles

Guatemala is in a complex stalemate that could jeopardize the country's governability. 18 months after the government of the Social Democrat Bernardo Arévalo (Semilla) took office, observers see some light in the tunnel after recent increasingly critical and future-sceptical assessments. The government has little time to convince. Otherwise, there is a risk of an institutional stalemate or even an ungovernability scenario, which could pave the way for an autocratic solution in the 2027 elections.