The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Fundamental and Human Rights and the University of Vienna, together with the Austrian Mission to the United Nations in New York, the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), and the foreign ministries of Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Slovenia, organized a workshop on January 28 and 29, 2026, on the topic of “Rule of Law as Key to International Peace and Security.”

In line with our mandate and ongoing efforts to bring together academia and practice, representatives of the United Nations and various countries, as well as scientists, were invited to give presentations and discuss the challenges that currently appear to be particularly diverse and significant.

There was agreement among the participants that the rule of law and human rights were under just as much pressure internationally as multilateralism and cooperation within the framework of international organizations. The central issue was therefore not only the demand to uphold international law, but also to expand cooperation between states and promote regional approaches. This would particularly benefit small and medium-sized states, which are at risk of falling by the wayside in the face of unlimited great power politics.

Four panels discussed the relationship between democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as double standards both in terms of the law and its application. The roles of the individual in international law and of its guardians, in particular international courts, were also reflected upon. A conference room that was fully booked for two days and the large audience participation underscore the relevance of protecting the rule of law, democracy, and human rights not only in Europe but throughout the world, as well as the special responsibility that small and medium-sized states can and should assume in the current situation.

Our institute director, Prof. Michael Lysander Fremuth, also used the event to present the University of Vienna’s new research network “Democracy and Human Rights” and was delighted by the great interest shown by many attendees in future cooperation.