2026 Research Workshops

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. 

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.