ANKARA BAR ASSOCIATION XIV. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF LAW

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

“THE GLOBAL CRISIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS”

The systematic decline in human rights around the world has become a crisis on a global scale. Weakening of democratic institutions, erosion of the rule of law, suppression of freedom of expression, environmental injustices, economic crises and inequalities, and systematic violations of humanitarian law in armed conflicts indicate the rapid loss of historical gains in terms of protection of human rights. Moreover, these declines are not limited to authoritarian regimes; even in well-established democratic systems, the world appears to be entering a period, in which the rule of law is being questioned, and fundamental rights are being deprived of their safeguards.

Despite the discourse about the universality of human rights, profound inequalities emerge in the implementation of human rights norms. Increasing armed conflicts, refugee crises, climate injustices, discriminatory policies, and economic crises directly threaten individuals’ right to a dignified life. Populist political movements becoming increasingly powerful, widespread censorship on social media, repression of public dissent, and practices such as narrowing of access to justice are profoundly undermining global achievements in human rights and all democratic values. Economic crises create extremely difficult problems in both public and private legal relations while the use of brute force becomes increasingly prominent in international relations, thus the belief that disputes can be resolved through legal means weakens day by day.

All these developments reveal that intellectual effort, critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global solidarity are needed more than ever in terms of defending human rights.

Ankara Bar Association invites all legal professionals, scholars from all fields, representatives of civil society, and all relevant experts to the International Law Congress on “The Global Crisis of Human Rights”. The Congress is being organized with the aim of jointly addressing and discussing these deep and multidimensional crises, as well as producing innovative solutions while adhering to the fundamental achievements of law.

The Congress aims to host qualified analyses and multifaceted solution proposals regarding the source of this crises, both domestically and universally, and gather knowledge and experience from various disciplines and jurisdictions.

Based on these considerations, paper abstracts to be presented at the Congress will primarily be evaluated on the following thematic topics. Papers presented at the Congress will be evaluated as original contributions to the subject and studies that include a critical perspective, and special attention will be directed to interdisciplinary studies and proposals that include comparative perspectives from different countries:

Thematic Topics

Law and the Judiciary

Erosion of judicial independence and impartiality, influence of politics on the judiciary, and weakening of the rule of law profoundly impact individuals’ freedom to seek justice, social justice, and democratic check and balance mechanisms. Examples of diminished trust in the law are becoming more and more prominent globally, while the slowness and ineffectiveness of legal remedies are frequently mentioned. Mass human mobility, increasing security concerns and conflicts create an atmosphere that diminishes the effectiveness of the law and the judiciary. In this context, it seems inevitable that an in-depth analysis of these problems and creative solution proposals will be at the center of all discussions regarding our century.

Defense

Defense faces serious risks, particularly during times of crisis and in socially repressive atmosphere. Increasing pressure on the profession of attorneys, restricting the right to defense, and weakening defense safeguards pose a threat not only to individual rights but also to the fundamental functioning of a democratic state governed by the rule of law. In this context, redefining the functions of Attorneys and Bar Associations in line with changing circumstances and, if necessary, bolstering institutional safeguards, and resolving practical problems are of great importance.

Climate, Environment and Sustainability

Deepening climate crisis, systematic destruction of natural resources, and environmental injustices are making the links between the right to environment and the right to life even more prominent. This necessitates that legal systems address new solutions and accountability mechanisms for a sustainable and just future.

Violations of Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts

Despite the protective regime of international humanitarian law, targeting of civilians in armed conflicts, forced displacements, war crimes, and practices of impunity continue to escalate. Documenting, preventing and prosecuting these violations are among our primary legal and ethical responsibilities.

Economic Crisis and Private Law Relations

Global and national economic crises profoundly impact not only macroeconomic balances but also relations of private law. Conditions such as difficulties in executing the contracts, defaults on debts, and disruptions in the balance between parties necessitate a reevaluation of the fundamental principles and practices of private law. During times of crisis, the balance between freedom of contract and the principle of good faith becomes increasingly fragile, and the scope of applications for practices such as force majeure, excessive hardship, adaptation, and termination expands. In this context, a multifaceted approach to the impact of economic crises on private law is of critical importance for both legal theory and practice.

Application Rules and Important Dates

Abstracts must be limited to a maximum of 500 words and must be submitted via kurultay2026@ankarabarosu.org.tr by 25.10.2025 along with a brief biography of the author.