PRESS RELEASE

MFHR Conference: From Unravelling Commitments to Reinforcing Universality: Reaffirming International Human Rights Law amid Withdrawal and Backsliding

The Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (MFHR) is organising a one-day international conference in a hybrid format on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, at the “Alkis Argyriades” Amphitheatre of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The conference aims to critically examine the current state of international human rights law in a period marked by increasing political contestation, backlash against human rights norms, and a growing retreat from multilateralism.

It will address recent instances of withdrawal and disengagement from human rights treaties as well as the mounting pressure that international bodies currently face. Building on these discussions, and drawing inspiration from recent developments that demonstrate renewed forms of inter-state cooperation and collective enforcement, the conference will explore pathways towards restoring confidence in the international human rights system and strengthening its capacity to respond to contemporary challenges.

You can find the conference program here.