On Monday, 17 November 2025, the GCDC, in collaboration with the Institute for Human Rights, organised a panel event entitled ‘Cities and Human Rights’. At the event, Professor Marius Pieterse (University of the Witwatersrand; GCDC Academic Visitor, Sept–Oct 2025) presented on urban collectives as victims of international human rights violations and discussed the broader challenges that urbanisation poses for human rights law.
He noted that international human rights law generally treats cities as organs of the state, despite the growing prominence of city governments in recent years. He observed that cities contribute to the evolution of human rights norms as implementers, violators, protectors, and, at times, formulators. He highlighted examples from case law illustrating how human rights tribunals deal with instances in which large-scale human rights violations happen in or to cities. His analysis drew on decisions of international tribunals such as the International Court of Justice, and regional systems such as the European Court of Human Rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Professor Pieterse concluded that urbanisation has changed how human rights are experienced and impacted around the world. He emphasised the need for the systems through which these rights are vindicated to keep pace with the changes and for improved articulation between international and domestic law.
Following the presentation, Dr Elena De Nictolis (Luiss University) offered her comments, after which a general question-and-answer session followed. The event was chaired by Professor Virginia Mantouvalou (UCL Laws, Institute for Human Rights).
Professor Pieterse’s article on urban collectives as victims of international human rights violations is available on the European Journal of International Law website.
Watch a video recording of the event on UCL Laws’ YouTube channel, or view it directly below.
