In honor of Human Rights Day, International Balkan University (IBU) hosted a thought-provoking event focused on current global and regional issues relating to human rights. The program, organized by IBU’s Legal Clinic, took place on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Blue Amphitheater, gathering academics, students, and guests for insightful discussions.

The event was moderated by Prof. Dr. Nikola Dacev, Dean of the Faculty of Law at IBU, who kicked off the program with a warm opening speech.

Following the opening remarks, the program featured a series of expert speakers from the Faculty of Law.

Prof. Dr. Natalija Shikova, from the Department of International Law, presented her insights on the topic, “Extrajudicial Protection of Human Rights,” discussing how various global and regional mechanisms play a crucial role in ensuring human rights protections outside traditional judicial frameworks.

Next, Asst. Prof. Dr. Marta Vejseli, from the Department of EU Law, explored the intersection of “Digitalization and Human Rights in the Public Sector.” Her presentation focused on the challenges and opportunities that arise from the digitalization of governance and its impact on human rights, particularly in the context of privacy, data protection, and access to public services.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Ebru Ibish, from the Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, closed the series of presentations with her lecture on “The Importance of the European Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights in Protecting Children’s Rights as Human Rights.” She highlighted the critical role of the European Convention in safeguarding the rights of children, addressing both the legal protections and the challenges faced by vulnerable groups.

The program concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, ask questions, and discuss the critical issues raised throughout the event.

The Human Rights Day program at IBU provided an excellent platform for raising awareness about human rights issues and fostering deeper understanding of how the law can address these challenges on both a local and global scale.