Rote Hilfe e.V. ("Red Aid," abbreviated RH)"e.V." is an abbreviation for "eingetragener Verein," or "registered association." is a German association that supports left‑wing activists who come into conflict with the law in the course of their political activities. It describes itself as a "party‑independent, cross‑current left‑wing protection and solidarity organisation." With a history of more than 100 years, Rote Hilfe is the oldest — and, with around 19,000 members (as of 2025), the largest — organisation within the German left‑wing scene. Its membership has grown significantly in recent years. The association comprises around 50 local and regional groups and maintains a federal office in Göttingen."Juso-Chefin verlässt 'Rote Hilfe'" Der Spiegel (December 1, 2007). Retrieved July 1, 2010
History
Red Aid was founded in 1975, although local groups calling themselves "Rote Hilfe" had begun to appear in the late 1960s.Aust, Stefan, The Baader-Meinhof complex Translated by Anthea Bell (1987), Random House Group, Ltd., p. 189. . Retrieved July 1, 20102008 Annual Report on the Protection of the Constitution (PDF) Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany. pp. 159-161 Retrieved July 1, 2010 The organisation sees itself as a successor to the Weimar-era Rote Hilfe. In the 1970s, it worked on behalf of Red Army Faction (RAF) prisoners, and a small number of RH members later joined the RAF or similar groups (e.g., Angelika Speitel and Hans-Joachim Klein).Aust, p. 219Burleigh, Michael (2008). Blood and Rage: A Cultural History of Terrorism. HarperPress. p. 244. Today, roughly half of Red Aid's budget is used to cover the legal fees, fines, and expenses of left‑wing activists and prisoners. It also publishes a quarterly journal, Die Rote Hilfe ("The Red Aid"), along with other publications, and organises events. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz, BfV) asserts that Red Aid plays a supportive role within left‑wing extremist milieus, contributing to their cohesion and persistence.
See also International Red Aid Rote Hilfe
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