Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights

📍 Athens, 26 May 2026

What an inspiring and thought-provoking conference last Tuesday!
Hosted by the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights, the international conference “From Unravelling Commitments to Reinforcing Universality: Reaffirming International Human Rights Law amid Withdrawal and Backsliding” brought together distinguished speakers from academia and international institutions for a timely discussion on the future of international human rights law in an era marked by political polarization, institutional pressure and democratic backsliding.

The opening address was delivered by the President of the MFHR, Professor Linos-Alexandros Sicilianos, who emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation, dialogue and collective commitment in safeguarding the universality of human rights.

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Judge Ivana Jelić, Vice-President of the ECtHR, who reflected on contemporary challenges facing the Convention system, focusing on evolving ECtHR jurisprudence in areas such as migration and asylum, while underscoring the importance of institutional credibility, methodological coherence, and public trust in the protection of human rights across Europe.

Structured around three thematic panels, the conference examined:
- state withdrawal and disengagement from international human rights systems,
- pressures faced by international human rights courts and treaty bodies,
- and future pathways for reinforcing universality, accountability and international cooperation.

We warmly thank all speakers, moderators and participants for contributing to a highly engaging and dynamic academic discussion, as well as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens for hosting the event.