"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." This first sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees each human being equal rights and freedoms. Human rights are acquired at birth and are inalienable, universal as well as indivisible. However, there is often a gulf between ambition and reality. Again and again are human rights severely violated all over the world – be it in China, Darfur, Myanmar, Mexico or in Iran. Many refugees flee their native countries because of the inhuman conditions there and in search for a better life. Many people disappear, children lose their parents and families get separated when being uprooted this way. The life of these people changes fundamentally while they are on the run. Once again, many international films shown at this year’s DOK Leipzig address this issue.



DOK Leipzig has, traditionally, always been a synonym for films that are dedicated to peace and the dignity of man. Everywhere in the world.

This is why DOK Leipzig supports:

• Refugees United is a non-governmental and non-profit organization with the objective of helping refugees relocate missing family through a unique search engine: www.refunite.org

• Free of charge, easy to use, and – most importantly – with the possibility to remain completely anonymous to all but family. It is possible to leave out name and physical whereabouts, just noting nicknames, initials, scars, birthmarks or other personal markers only identifiable to close family and friends.

• When a match has been made it is possible for the two parts to communicate through a closed-circuit e-mail system embedded in the search engine and verify the identity of the counterpart by asking a string of personal questions.

• Refugees United assists refugees in relocating missing family and friends; a task which can be an overwhelming obstacle for refugees unfamiliar with the language, institutions and possibilities of a new country or region. In addition, a very large number of refugees are unable to register with formal institutions, as they have not been granted asylum, are stateless persons or fear registering with sensitive information.

• The real challenge and quest of Refugees United is bringing information across borders and barriers to groups of people often left out of the information hub.

• In order to create an awareness of www.refunite.org, Refugees United’s team of employees and dedicated volunteers visits refugee areas all over the world. The bigger the number of people creating a profile in the search engine, the greater the chances of refugees finding lost family. The staff of Refugees United work hard to establish alliances and partnerships with other NGO’s and agencies involved in refugee work, such as UNHCR, Red Cross, Caritas and regional institutions that support refugees and their families.