Conference
Organizers:
Date:
May 29, 2026
Time:
8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Fee:
Awg. 125
Location:
Aula, University of Aruba
Conference: Shaping Rights Across Oceans: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
Description:
On 4 November 2025, the European Convention on Human Rights celebrated its 75th year since it was first drafted and signed by the members of the Council of Europe. The ECHR is also applicable to the Caribbean overseas territories of some European States, namely France, the Netherlands and the UK. The ECHR’s applicability in the Caribbean territories has not drawn significant attention in the Court’s case law and in scholarship, raising important questions: Are the rights under the ECHR effectively accessible, invoked and enforced in the Caribbean territories? Do political choices, local constitutional arrangements, or governance structures influence when and how the ECHR is used? Is the ECHR integrated into local legal cultures, legal education, advocacy strategies, and public discourse? The University of Aruba is organizing a one-day multidisciplinary conference on 29 May 2026 exploring the influence of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the Caribbean. We seek to bring together scholars, practitioners, and legal professionals to examine how the rights guaranteed in the ECHR are interpreted, contested, and realized in the courtrooms and communities of Caribbean territories
Keynote Speaker:
Jolien Schukking served as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights (2017–2026) and has sat on the Dutch bench since 2009. Her distinguished career includes serving as the Agent for the Netherlands before the ECtHR and UN bodies, and as Senior Legal Adviser for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A prominent lecturer on human rights law, she has chaired numerous international legal groups, including the Foundation Judges for Judges. She also served with the Permanent Court of Arbitration and holds a law degree specializing in Dutch and Aruban company law.
Event Program:
8:30 – 9:00 | Registration, coffee & tea
9:00 – 9:20 | Opening & welcome
9:20 : 10:05 | Keynote Address: Jolien Schukking
10:15 – 11:30 | Parallel sessions 1 & 2
11:30 – 11:45 | Coffee break
11:45 – 13:00 | Parallel sessions 3 & 4
13:00 – 14:30 | Lunch
14:30 – 15:45 | Parallel sessions 5 & 6
15:45 – 16:00 | Coffee break
16:00 – 16:30 | Video message of the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (TBC)
16:45 – 17:45 | Panel discussion: The ECHR in practice in the Caribbean
17:45 – 18:00 | Closing
18:00 – 20:00 | Networking Dinner
Event Location
The main campus of the University of Aruba is centrally located in downtown Oranjestad and houses a number of Centers and Offices that promote academic growth, education, and research.
Our events are usually held at the main campus of the University of Aruba or online.
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