The Vienna Forum’s board is committed to continuing the life’s work of our colleague and chairman, Hannes Tretter, who passed away on 17 March 2025, in his spirit. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the numerous personal and touching condolence letters we have received.
To honour Hannes Tretter and his diverse achievements, we are planning a symposium dedicated to his work in the field of law, his outstanding expertise in human rights and his commitment to civil society. The project ‘Notfall Demokratie’ (Emergency Democracy), which he conceived in the last months of his life and which is now in its initial phase, will also be presented and discussed at the event. In an interdisciplinary blog, experts will address current issues relating to the protection and promotion of democracy and human rights.
Hannes Tretter saw a substantial threat in the rapidly advancing destruction of nature, impressively documented by the CMS! Clean Mediterranean Sea project, as well as in the global threat to democracies posed by illiberal and authoritarian policies. He was committed to resolutely opposing this until the very end.
Keep the date
We look forward to welcoming you to the symposium ‘A Life’s Work for Human Rights and Democracy. In memoriam Hannes Tretter’ on 24 September 2025 in the attic of the Juridicum from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a reception.