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rbb / ARD Mediathek · 4 September 2026Spree soll Recht auf Schutz bekommenThe Rights of the Spree initiative wants to give the river legal personhood. Its draft law secures the Spree’s right to exist, to be protected, preserved and restored, and to thrive.
ZEIT · September 2026Wenn Flüsse vor Gericht ziehenRivers as legal persons, citizens as their lawyers: a European movement wants to give ecosystems their own rights. 58 rivers and lakes from 18 countries gather for the Confluence in Berlin.
RiffReporter · 30 June 2026Eigene Rechte für die Natur: Schutz oder bloß Symbolik?A European Citizens’ Initiative wants to give rivers and forests their own rights and is collecting a million signatures for it. Emmanuel Schlichter on the big hurdles, and whether it’s more than a symbol.
Deutschlandfunk · 8 June 2026Rechte für den Fluss? Auf Paddeltour mit der Initiative „Rechte der Spree“A radio report from a paddling tour on the Spree, out on the water with the initiative that wants to give the river its own rights.
POLITICO Europe · 31 May 2026‘Pollute us and we’ll sue you’: The quest to give Europe’s lakes and forests legal rightsNature should count as a person under EU law. On the movement that wants to give Europe’s lakes and forests legal rights.
Lage der Nation · 8 January 2026Kann ein Fluss eigene Rechte haben? (Roda Verheyen, Juristin), Teil 2In the podcast, lawyer Roda Verheyen explains why a river should have rights and what rights of nature do for protecting it.
taz · 2 November 2025Jurist über eigene Rechte für Flüsse: „Die Spree würde den Staat verklagen“A petition wants to win the Spree its own rights. Emmanuel Schlichter on the vision of a city that protects its waterways.
LTO · 10 October 2025Die Spree soll sich sauber klagen könnenRivers that can sue over their own pollution? Rights of nature are still rare in Germany. One initiative wants to change that, starting with the Spree.
tip BerlinPro und Contra: Soll die Spree zum Rechtssubjekt werden?Sewage, concrete banks, falling water levels: the Spree is in trouble. The pro side explains how rights of its own and elected guardians would give the river a voice in court.

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13 October 2026Signature collection is openSince 13 October 2026 we've been collecting signatures for the rights of nature all over Europe. Our goal: one million.