On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR) successfully organized the international conference “From Unravelling Commitments to Reinforcing Universality: Reaffirming International Human Rights Law amid Withdrawal and Backsliding” at the “Alkis Argyriadis” Amphitheatre of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The conference brought together distinguished speakers from academia and international institutions to examine the current state of international human rights law.
The opening address was delivered by the President of the MFHR, Professor Linos-Alexandros Sicilianos, who reflected on the growing challenges facing the international human rights system and underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation, constructive dialogue and collective commitment in reinforcing the universality of human rights within a rapidly changing international environment.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered during the second panel by the Vice-President of the ECtHR, Judge Ivana Jelić. Judge Jelić reflected on some of the contemporary challenges facing the Convention system, including evolving debates surrounding the interpretation and implementation of states’ obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. Drawing on recent ECtHR jurisprudence, particularly in the fields of migration and asylum, she explored the manner in which considerations such as national security, public order and social cohesion are addressed within the Court’s case-law and broader public discourse. She further emphasised the importance of safeguarding the institutional credibility of the Convention system, ensuring methodological coherence, and maintaining public trust in the effective protection of human rights across Europe.
The conference was structured around three interconnected thematic panels, moving from the examination of withdrawal and institutional pressure within the international human rights system to future pathways for reinforcing universality, accountability and international cooperation.
The first panel, “From Commitment to Withdrawal — and Back to Engagement”, explored the rise of state withdrawal and disengagement from international human rights systems, focusing on the political and legal factors driving these trends. Through examples from regional human rights systems, speakers examined the impact of sovereignty concerns, disinformation and domestic political pressures on institutional legitimacy and public trust, while stressing the importance of resilience and renewed engagement.
The second panel, “International Human Rights Bodies under Pressure”, addressed the growing pressure placed on international human rights courts and treaty bodies by states increasingly contesting their authority and interpretative approaches. Discussions focused on challenges to judicial independence, restrictions on human rights protection and the need to preserve the credibility, effectiveness and integrity of international human rights institutions.
The final panel, “Looking Forward: Reinforcing Universality”, adopted a forward-looking perspective on the future of international human rights law. Discussions highlighted the role of public interest litigation, advisory opinions, international cooperation as well as the need for stronger coordination between institutions in reinforcing universality. It also emphasized the importance of Global South perspectives and effective domestic implementation of international human rights standards.
The MFHR extends its warm thanks to all speakers, moderators and participants who contributed to a highly engaging and dynamic academic discussion, as well as to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for hosting the event.
You can find the conference program here.
For those who were unable to attend in person, the full video recording of the event is available below.
Date/Time:
26 May 2026, 11:00
Where:
“Alkis Argyriades” Amphitheatre, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Speakers:
Panel 1: Moderator- Dr. Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou, Governing Board Member of the MFHR, Speakers: Edmunds Cepurītis, Chair of the European Affairs Committee in the Parliament of Latvia (Saeima), Vice Chair of the Latvian delegation to PACE, Council of Europe, Peggy Ducoulombier, Professor at the University of Strasbourg, Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, Professor in Human Rights Law, Associate Dean for Global Engagement of the School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool, UK, Panos Merkouris, Professor of Public International Law, University of Groningen, Panel 2: Moderator- Photini Pazartzis, Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, former Chair of the UN Human Rights Committee, Keynote speeker: Judge Ivana Jelić, Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Section 1 President, Speakers: Maria – Daniella Marouda, Associate Professor at Panteion University, former Chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Natasa Mavronicola, Professor of Human Rights Law at the University of Birmingham, Dr. Aikaterini (Katerina) Tsampi, Assistant Professor of Public International Law, University of Groningen, Panel 3: Moderator -Linos-Alexander Sicilianos, President of the MFHR, Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, f. President of the ECtHR, Speakers: Pierre d’Argent, Professor at the University of Louvain, Member of the Institut de droit international, Special Counsel Foley Hoag LLP, Makane Moïse Mbengue, Professor at the University of Geneva, member of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law, Member of the Institut de droit international, Jean-Marc Thouvenin, Professor at the University Paris Nanterre, Secretary-General of The Hague Academy of International Law, Member of the Institut de droit international, Hélène Tigroudja, Professor of International Law at Aix-Marseille University (France), Visting Professor of Public International Law at CIL (National University of Singapore, Vice-Chair of the UN Human Rights Committee