UCL Human Rights Institute hosts European Court President on rule of law in Europe

On 4 February 2025, UCL Institute for Human Rights, a multidisciplinary centre run jointly by UCL School of Public Policy and UCL Laws, hosted a thought-provoking keynote speech by the President of the European Court of Human Rights, Dr Marko Bošnjak, on the “Role of the European Court of Human Rights in Protecting the Rule of Law in Europe”. 

With a packed audience in attendance, the keynote speaker explored the weakening of the rule of law across Europe, followed by an analysis of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in cases where extensive judicial reforms were introduced aimed at exerting executive’s influence over judicial appointments and in cases of political persecution against politicians like Alexei Navalny. The President underlined the important role of the Strasbourg Court in such situations and also explored the future challenges facing the Court brought on by artificial intelligence and climate change.  

The speech was followed by a discussion chaired by the Institute’s co-Director, Professor Veronika Fikfak (UCL School of Public Policy), with comments from Professors Colm O’Cinneide (UCL Laws) and Virginia Mantouvalou (UCL Laws and co-Director of the Institute). The discussions offered sharp insights into the future of rule of law protections in Europe against a backdrop of pressing governmental, climate, and technological challenges. The final remarks were given by UCL President and Provost, Dr Michael Spence, who emphasised how human rights litigation requires courage from many different parties: victims who have to pursue human rights claims, lawyers who represent them, and judges who have to adjudicate these claims.  

This was the first IHR Annual Lecture, featuring a preeminent expert in the area of human rights. The Institute organises a vibrant programme of seminars throughout the year, hosted both by UCL Laws and the School of Public Policy.  

A recording of the event can be viewed on UCL Laws’ YouTube channel. Later that week, the Institute co-hosted another human rights event, more about which here.