2026 Research Workshops
From TAFF (Santa Marta, 2026) to Just Transition (COP31) and Beyond [16 June 2026, The Hague Humanity Hub]
Organised in the wake of the first international Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF), hosted by the governments of the Netherlands and Colombia in April 2026, the event provided a platform to reflect on the significance of the Santa Marta conference and its implications for ongoing international climate negotiations. This event took place in The Hague Humanity Hub and involved a plenary panel discussion featuring experts from academia, government, civil society, and international organisations, participants explored pathways for a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, opportunities for engagement with emerging policy processes, and preparations for COP31 in Turkey. More information is available here.
Sustaining the Rule of Law: The Future of Judicial Independence in Europe [5 June 2026, Supreme Court of the Netherlands]
Marking the publication of the edited volume 'Sustaining the Rule of Law: The Future of Judicial Independence in Europe', edited by Petra Bárd and Jasper Krommendijk, the event explored contemporary challenges to judicial independence against a backdrop of democratic backsliding, growing criticism of international courts, and wider pressures on the rule of law across Europe. During the first part of the programme, the editors and contributing authors reflected on key themes emerging from the book and their relevance to current developments. The event then continued with an expert roundtable involving judges and academics, focusing on strategies for sustaining judicial resilience in times of rule-of-law decline and the role of judges in public debates on the rule of law. More information is available here.
The Promise of the Pact? What the EU promised but the Pact on Migration and Asylum does not deliver [22 May 2026, Radboud University]
On 22 May 2026, scholars and practitioners from across Europe gathered at Radboud University in Nijmegen for the workshop “The Promise of the Pact? What the EU Promised but the Pact on Migration and Asylum Does Not Deliver.” Held shortly before the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum became applicable in June 2026, the event provided a forum for critical reflection on whether the Pact fulfils the objectives that accompanied its adoption in 2024. Following introductory remarks by Professor Tesseltje de Lange and a keynote speech by Professor Tineke Strik, the workshop continued with four thematic panel sessions on solidarity and asylum, vulnerability, legal pathways, and the Pact’s relationship with third countries. Participants explored issues including responsibility-sharing, migrant vulnerability, integration, resettlement, return policies, and external migration governance. Overall, the workshop offered a timely assessment of the promises and limitations of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Through contributions from researchers at different career stages, the event highlighted key challenges and ongoing debates surrounding the future of EU migration and asylum policy. More information is available here.
Book Launch: Transitional Justice in the United States of America [18 May 2026, Utrecht University]
On 18 May 2026, scholars, students, and practitioners gathered at Utrecht University for the launch of 'Transitional Justice in the United States of America' by Professor Brianne McGonigle Leyh. The event focused on the book’s innovative application of a transitional justice lens to the United States, examining how mechanisms traditionally associated with societies emerging from authoritarian rule or conflict can be used to understand and address historical and contemporary injustices in the American context. Following a welcome and introduction, Professor McGonigle Leyh presented the book and its central arguments. The event continued with a panel discussion moderated by Barrie Sander and featuring reflections from Tine Destrooper, Linda Nooitmeer, James Kennedy, and Julie Fraser, followed by an audience Q&A session. More information is available here.
Venezuela: Voices from the ground [10 February 2026, T.M.C. Asser Instituut]
The US military operation of January 2026 that ended Nicolás Maduro’s time in power has profoundly altered Venezuela’s political and legal landscape, while raising urgent questions about accountability for widespread human rights violations. Venezuela continues to face one of the gravest human rights crises globally, with international bodies documenting extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity. This public lecture brought together Venezuelan voices and international experts to examine the human rights situation on the ground and the complex legal uncertainties created by recent developments. The discussion addressed pathways to justice for victims, the broader implications for international law, and the risks of impunity beyond high-profile political change. More information is available here.
The ECHR Under Pressure [4 February 2026, online]
On 27 March 2026, more than 30 scholars and practitioners from across Europe gathered for the first in-person meeting of the AGORA Group, an independent pan-European platform dedicated to dialogue and debate on issues concerning the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The event entitled "The ECHR Under Pressure" focused on the ongoing discussions and future ministerial declaration, known as the Chișinău Declaration on the ECHR. More information is available here.
Book Launch: The Companion to the European Convention on Human Rights [7 January 2026, Utrecht University]
On 7 January 2026, scholars, lawyers, and judges from the European Court of Human Rights / Cour européenne des droits de l'homme gathered together at Universiteit Utrecht for the book launch of ‘The Companion to the European Convention on Human Rights’, edited by Kushtrim Istrefi, Zane Ratniece, and Kresimir Kamber. The Companion is the first compilation and analysis of nearly 300 ECHR notions and concepts on Convention rights, principles, procedures, and institutions. Its innovative contribution lies in its concept-based approach, which disaggregates these notions and examines them individually rather than through a purely article-by-article structure. This makes the Companion particularly important for bringing these concepts together systematically. After the welcoming remarks by Dr Kushtrim Istrefi, the event commenced with a speech by former ECtHR judge Professor Paul Lemmens. The event then continued with two sessions. The first focused on the journey of the Companion and its scope, while the second addressed the future of the ECHR system. Overall, the book launch of the Companion provided an insightful introduction to a significant and much-needed contribution to ECHR law. It also highlighted a range of contemporary issues that are significant to the sustainability of the Convention system. More information is available here.