Linos-Alexander Sicilianos is the first Greek national to be elected President of the European Court of Human Rights in the 63 years of this emblematic institution’s functioning. During the decade 2011-2021, he left his mark on the Court, contributing decisively to some seminal judgments, leading the Court to important reformations, and promoting the dialogue with the national Supreme Courts across Europe. For his contribution, Professor Sicilianos was awarded by the Hellenic Council of State in a special Plenary Session, in February 2020.

Professor Sicilianos’ presence in the European Court of Human Rights was the capstone of a unique and long course with International Organisations -the Council of Europe, the UN, the EU. As a member and Vice President of the UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, he participated in the examination of Reports submitted by 120 States and he was appointed Rapporteur, indicatively, for the USA, the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, India, and France.

Such action is combined with a rich academic career. Being already a Corresponding member of the Academy of Athens and currently Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Athens, Professor Sicilianos also participates in the Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law. He is a member of the Institute of International Law, which gathers renowned international lawyers from around the world. He has been honored with important international awards. In 2021, he was appointed Doctorate Honoris Causa with the Paris II University and he received the medal of the Legion of Honor by President Macron.

In her speech, H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou highlighted that:

“…. Linos-Alexander Sicilianos, Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Athens, was the first Greek President of the European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg. For years he has been passionately dedicated to the particular and sensitive field of human rights, while he has also served as an academic director of the “Alice Marangopoulos” Foundation. His scientific work, in Greek, English, and French, is devoted to public international law, contributing particularly in the promotion of human rights”.