ICEL’s Annual Human Rights Conference in partnership with the ICHR
About this Event
The Irish Centre for European Law (“ICEL”) is pleased to announce that it will host its Annual Human Rights Conference in partnership with the Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Galway (“NUIG”) on Thursday 15 October 2026 from 11am-5pm at the University of Galway.
Registration will take place from 10.30am
This conference will be themed “Ireland’s role in protecting EU values to strengthen the international legal order” and provide a forum for discussion of EU Values, with a particular focus on human rights as enshrined under Article 2 TEU and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The conference will explore and respond to the work undertaken by Ireland for the protection and promotion of EU values during its Presidency, in the face of the current global uncertainty and weakening of the international rules based order.
This conference is an EU Presidency Associated Event and is being part funded by the Communicating for Europe Initiative.
We are delighted to announce the following confirmed speakers:
(i) Former President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins;
(ii) Professor Siobhán Mullally, University of Galway;
(iii) Professor Laurent Pech, University College Dublin;
(iv) Professor Ciara Smyth, University of Galway;
(v) Dr Maeve O’Rourke, University of Galway; and
(vi) Fred Logue, Managing Partner of FP Logue LLP, Solicitors.
(vii) Sarah Flood, Deputy Director, Human Rights Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
(viii) Lorna Hayes, Deputy CEO, European Movement Ireland;
(ix) Barry Ward TD, Chair, European Union Affairs Committee;
(x) Dr Andrew Forde, Dublin City University;
(xi) Noeline Blackwell, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist;
(xii) Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Director, Global Legal Action Network;
(xiii) Patricia Stephenson, Senator;
(xiv) Niamh Ní Charra, Archivist, University of Galway.
Key themes will include:
(i) Specific areas of focus for Ireland (e.g. protecting multilateral institutions; promoting women’s rights, opposing efforts to diminish international standards including in the context of planned EU accession to the ECHR and supporting Ukraine’s pathway to EU membership).
(ii) The intersections between Ireland’s three themes for its EU Presidency.
(iii) The ‘toolbox’ of instruments available to uphold the rule of law in EU Member States, including Article 7 of TEU and the importance of accountability.
(iv) Reflections on Ireland’s EU Presidency as it campaigns for UN Human Rights Council membership.
There are 5 CPD points available for this Conference.
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Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
EUR 15.00 to EUR 65.00
