Plenary Session 3

Human rights in reality: access and implementation.

While domestic and international human rights law and institutions have made important strides in promoting and protecting human rights after World War II, they continue to face challenges in ensuring state compliance, addressing backlashes against human rights, securing adequate resources, enforcing judgments, and addressing emerging human rights issues. Moreover, crises such as pandemics, financial emergencies, armed conflicts, climate change and the increasing power of AI, create additional challenges to the enjoyment of human rights.

Armed conflicts and post-conflict situations are also challenges that must be reflected upon from the standpoint of constitutional law. The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the war between Israel and Hamas, to mention just two examples, forces questions regarding the role of constitutional law and its relationship with international law. What role can constitutional and international law play for facilitating and promoting reconstruction and reconciliation processes where the rights of victims are guaranteed, the reintegration of ex-combatants is managed, and an adequate transition process is ensured.

Chairs

Cheryl Saunders

George Katrougalos

Speakers:

Sandra Liebenberg

Professor of Human Rights at Stellenbosch University and former Vice-Chair of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Tae-Ung Baik

Professor of Law at University of Hawaiʻi and former Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

Stéphanie Hennette-Vauchez

Professor of Public Law at Université Paris Nanterre and Director of the Center for Research and Studies on Fundamental Rights (CREDOF).

Carlos Ayala Corao

Former President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), member of the International Commission of Jurists, and Professor of Constitutional Law.

Manuel Cepeda

Former President of the International Association of Constitutional Law and former President of the Constitutional Court of Colombia.